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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


lV 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  Institut  Canadian  de  microroproductlons  historiques 

1980 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
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une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mdthode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquds  ci-dessous. 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  do  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagde 


D 
D 

D 
D 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pelliculde 


Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 


Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


n 


Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 


y. 


A    Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
..k-l    along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  int6rieure 


D 


D 


Blank  le&.^es  added  during  restoration  may 
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D 


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[7( 


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Transparence 


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D 


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This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film6  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

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12X 


16X 


20X 


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32X 


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The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
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filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
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sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  —^'  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED "),  or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimde  sont  film6s  en  commen^ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
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plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmds  en  commenpant  par  la 
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d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
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empreinte. 

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cas:  le  symbole  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
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beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
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TEXT-BOOK 


OK 


NEWFOUNDLAND   HISTORY, 


FOR    THE 


USE  OF  SCHOOLS  AND  ACADEMIES. 


BY 


THE   REV.    M.    HARVEY, 

Author  of  "  Xf  If  found  land— the    Oldest    Britinh    Colony;"    "Lectures, 

Literary  and  Biogruphhul;  "    Articles,   "  Xeiofoundlund  "    and 

"Labrador,"  in   the  Encyclojtcedia  Britunniva,  etc 


-   <i 


Wi\i\)  ilflap  anU  Illugtrationg. 


i.  '.<'■:■-< 


BOSTON: 
DOYLK   AND    WHITTLE,    PUBLISHERS. 

18  85. 


M 


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pRcss  or 


•ROCKWELL 


CHURCHILL* 


■ ;  t ,  ^ 


TO  TEACHERS. 


..if'i' 


The  author  of  this  little  work  has  aimed  at 
narrji.  .ig  the  leading  events  in  the  history  of 
Newfoundland  in  such  clear  and  simple  language 
as  may  attract  the  attention  of  the  young,  and  at 
the  same  time  prove  interesting  to  those  of  ma- 
turer  years.  While  unecessary  details  have  been 
avoided,  no  event  of  importance  has  been  passed 
over.  -    ''•■^''^■*^' 

The  author  would  respectfully  but  earnestly  point 
out  to  teachers  who  may  use  this  volume,  the  great 
importance  of  connecting  the  geography  of  the  nar- 
rative with  the  history,  in  order  to  fix  the  knowledge 
acquired  permanently  in  the  memory,  and  render  it 
useful.  The  situation  of  every  place  mentioned  in 
the  history  should  be  pointed  out  by  the  pupils  on 
the  map,  and  its  position  with  reference  to  other 
places  should  be  carefidly  learned.  The  place  being 
thus  associated  with  the  event  in  the  minds  of  the 
learners,  both  are  more  clearly  realized  and  more 
deeply  impressed  on  the  memory.  To  aid  teachers, 
and  expedite  their  work,  a  series  of  questions  on  the 


TO  TEACHERS. 


history  and  on    the   geography  of  the    places    men- 
tioned has  been  appended  to  each  chapter. 

A  summary  of  the  chronology  of  each  period  is 
also  given,  in  which  the  dates  of  the  most  impor- 
tant events  and  of  the  more  prominent  personages 
are  noted.  This  helps  to  give  the  pupil  a  con- 
nected view  of  history  as  a  whole,  and  enables 
him  to  obtain  some  idea  of  contemporary  events  in 
other  countries,  and  thus  to  link  the  records  of 
his  own  land  with  those  of  the  rest  of  the  world. 
Thus  the  aids  of  geography  and  chronology  im- 
part a  deepe  interest  to  historical  studies,  and 
render  their  results  more  satisfactory  and  perma- 
nent. 


^■;*A^  &'"r^- 


■.V.vv  fi; 


■  1;:>'i:      *,'     ', 


COJN^TEJSTTS. 


Page 
CHAPTER    I. 
FiKST  Disco VEKiKs o 

CIIAr»TEK  11. 

The    IJei)    Indians,  ok  Aboriginal  Inhabitants    of  New- 
foundland ....  o- 

2o 

CHAPTER  in. 

EXI'LOKATION  AND   SETTLEMENT  OF    AmEHICA        ....        35 

CHAPTER  IV. 
England  takes  Possession  of  Newfoundland      ...      42 

CHAPTER  V. 
The  Fisheries «. 

CHAPTER  Vi.  ,    .     , 

Whitbouune's  Commission     .       .  „, 

61 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Contemporary  Events  ....  m 

•        •        •        •        .      oo 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

The  French  in  Newfoundland  .  -. 

74 

^    CHAPTER   IX.      ^'>^J^t^  '■•-., r-r- ;,.».•.:,:.::• - 
Condition  of  the  Early  Settlers    .       .       .    '  ,       ^  -  %?    Ift) 

■  :;^:V  :'..,':,,  .-'     :-';■.  ^     chapter  X.      .y-M    ■.-.;..vr/&s;u!:,- ■.' ,  ■ 
Renewed  Efforts  of  the  French  to  Conquer  Newfound- 

LAND       .....  «.» 

CHAPTER  XI. 

"The  Seven  Years'  War"   ...  oo 

•        •        •        •      wo 


6  ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Page 
CHAPTER   Xn. 
Palliser's  Act         .  108 

CHAPTER  XHI. 
Commercial  Disasters 124 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
Important  Events  .        , 149 

CHAPTER  XV. 
Conclusion 164 

Appendix 175 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Page 
Citj*  of  St.  John's Frontispiece 

Columbus 13 

Sebastian  Cabot 15 

Amerigo  Vespucci 17 

Wigwam  Point 31 

Jacques  Cai'tier 45 

Sir  Hunii)hrey  Gilbert 47 

Sir  Walter  Raleigh 49 

Sir  Francis  Drake 55 

Lord  Baltimore 63 

Cecil,  Second  Lord  Baltimore 65 

Placentia facing  page  74 

Bett's  Cove  Harbour facing  page  151 

Government  House,  St.  John's 157 

Church  of  England  Cathedral,  St.  John's 135 

Roman  Catholic  Cathedral,  St.  John's 167 

Cochrane-street  Methodist  Church,  St.  John's  ....     169 

St.  Andrew's  Jriwsbyterian  Church,  St.  John's .  .        .        .171 

Roman  Catholic  Cathedral,  Harbour  Grace 173 


IJN^TEODUOTION. 


At  first  sight  it  might  be  supposed  that  there  was  little  worthy 
of  attention  in  the  history  of  Newfoundland.  The  general  im- 
pression about  it,  till  lately,  has  been  that  it  is  merely  a  barren, 
fog-enveloped  island,  where  a  few  thousand  fishermen  secure  a 
precarious  existence  by  catching  and  curing  the  fish  which  abound 
in  its  waters.  "  What,"  it  might  be  asked,  "  can  there  be  worth 
knowing  regarding  their  achievements?  The  tale  must  be  barren 
and  uninteresting." 

I  submit  that  this  is  a  great  mistake.  The  story  of  this  colony 
connects  itself  with  the  history  of  both  England  and  America,  and 
presents  points  of  tiie  deepest  interest.  The  first  i^orth  American 
land  which  was  discovered  was  the  shores  of  this  island.  In  the 
New  World  England's  flag  first  floated  here.  Her  first  attempt 
at  colonization  was  made  here.  Her  first  success  in  maritime 
discovery  was  won  here.  In  prosecuting  the  fisheries  of  New- 
foundland English  sailors  first  learned  how  to  rule  the  waves. 
The  wealth  derived  from  these  fisheries  added  largely  to  Eng- 
land's greatness,  and  for  many  years  these  fisheries  were  the  best 
nursery  for  her  seamen.  Great  and  heroic  men  took  part  in  the 
early  colonization  of  the  island,  and  the  glory  which  their  names 
shed  on  its  history  should  never  be  forgotten. 

In  later  times  the  history  of  the  island  connected  itself  closely 
with  that  of  the  other  British  colonies  of  North  America,  and  it 
had  a  share  in  the  great  conflicts  which  decided  their  destiny. 
On  its  shores  a  race  of  haiuy,  industrious  men  created  a  home  for 
themselves,  in  spite  of  difldculties,  opposition,  and  oppression. 
The  battle  of  freedom  was  fought  and  won  here  by  determined, 
much-enduring  men,  though  it  was  a  bloodless  conflict.  Through 
toils  and  sufferings  of  no  ordinary  severity  the  colony  won  its 
way  to  self-government,  and  '"  attainment  of  its  constitutional 
rights  and  liberties. 

The  story  of  this  ancient  colony  is,  therefore,  neither  unim- 


8 


INTRODUCTION. 


I, 


portant  nor  uninstructive.  To  its  own  people,  in  particular,  a 
knowledge  of  the  struggles  and  vicissitudes  through  which  it  has 
passed  cannot  fail  to  be  of  deep  interest  and  importance. 

This  is  especially  true  regarding  the  young,  on  whom  the 
hopes  of  its  future  largely  depend.  They  should  be  early  fa- 
miliarized witli  the  history  of  their  own  country.  Before  they 
can  love  their  country  intelligently,  and  cherish  that  patriotic 
feeling  x^hich  will  lift  them  above  mere  party  or  selfish  con- 
siderations, and  enable  them  to  feel  an  honest  pride  in  heir 
island-home,  and  to  labour  for  its  advancement,  they  must  ac- 
quaint themselves  with  its  history. 

In  this  little  volume  I  have  endeavoured  to  present  a  brief  his- 
torical sketch  of  Newfoundland,  which  may  interest  and  inform 
the  minds  of  the  young,  and  be  adapted  for  use  in  schools  and 
academies ;  while  it  may  also  serve  to  impart  a  knowledge  of  the 
country's  past  to  those  of  mature  years  who  have  not  time  for  the 
study  of  larger  works  on  the  subject.  No  school  history  of  New- 
foundland has  yet  been  published.  It  will  be  a  source  of  gratifi- 
cation to  me  if  I  have  succeeded  in  meeting  a  want  which  has 
long  been  felt,  by  supplying  a  history  which  teachers  can  use 
with  advantage. 

M.  HAKVEY. 
St.  John's,  Newfoundland, ,  1885. 


I  !■ 


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''<^h?'r^'^iii^i!^-:f::H^        .*i:  i, .4-; ?v:i^ 


ii     .;  -:;.f 


HISTORY  OF  NEWFOUNDLAND. 


CHAPTER    I. 


FROM    lOUl    TO    1498. 


FIRST    DISCOVERERS. 

THE    COMING     OF     THE    NORTHMEN.  —  DISCOVERY     OF     THE 
NEW  WORLD.  —  JOHN  CABOT  AND   HIS    SON    SEBASTIAN. 

1,  A  GLANCE  at  a  map  of  Nortli  America  shows  us  a 
large  isla^i'l,  somewhat  triangular  in  shape,  lying  right 
across  the  entrance  of  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  to 
which  it  affords  access  at  its  northern  and  southern  ex- 
tremities. This  is  the  island  of  Newfoundland.  It 
occupies  an  important  position,  being  near  the  mainland 
of  America,  while  its  m'3t  eastern  projection  is  but  1,640 
miles  from  the  western  coast  of  Ireland.  Its  south-west- 
ern extremity  is  within  fifty  miles  of  the  Island  of  Cape 
Breton,  and  its  northern  jtoint  approaches  within  ten 
miles  of  the  coast  of  Labrador.  It  thus  forms,  as  it 
were,  a  stepping-stone  between  the  Old  World  and  the 
New.  In  regard  to  magnitude,  it  ranks  tenth  among  the 
islands  of  the  globe,  its  greatest  length  being  317  miles, 
its  greatest  breadth  316  miles,  and  its  area  42,000  square 
miles.  It  is  thus  one-sixth  larger  than  Ireland,  and 
equal  in  area  to  two-thirds  that  of  England  and  Wales. 
Its  coast-line  is  2,000  miles  in  extent. 

2.  It  is  curious  to  find  that  five  hundred  years  before 
the   days  of  Columbus   and  Cabot,  the  Northmen,  or 


it   I  ! 


10 


FIRST  DISCOVERERS. 


[1001- 


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Norsemen,  as  the  inhabitants  of  Norway  and  Sweden 
were  then  called,  had  discovered  Newfoundhmd,  and 
visited  and  even  colonized  portions  of  the  neighbouring 
mainland  of  America.  These  Northmen  were,  in  tlie 
tenth  and  eleventh  centuries,  the  greatest  mariners  of 
their  time,  and,  like  their  descendants,  the  Norwegians, 
Swedes,  and  Danes,  had  a  wonderful  love  for  the  sea 
and  for  maritime  adventures.  In  their  frail  barks  thev 
pushed  out  into  the  northern  seas,  and  discovered  and 
colonized  Iceland,  about  the  year  870.  Fifty  or  a  hun- 
dred years  afterwards  they  planted  colonies  on  both  the 
eastern  and  western  shores  of  Greenland.  It  is  not 
wonderful  that,  being  so  near  the  western  coast  of  Davis 
Strait,  they  should  have  crossed  over  from  Greenland 
in  their  numerous  voyages ;  and,  once  there,  it  was  an 
easy  matter  to  trace  the  coast  to  Labrador,  Newfound- 
land, and  farther  southward. 

3,  Thus  there  is  nothing  at  all  improbable  in  the  story 
told  in  the  Norse  books,  called  Sagas,  regarding  the 
visits  of  these  bold  sailors  to  the  coast  of  North  America. 
The  story  is  told  in  this  way :  About  the  year  1001,  one 
of  their  ships,  when  on  a  voyage  from  Iceland  to  Green- 
land, was  driven  away  far  to  the  south-west  by  a  tem- 
pest, and  at  length  came  in  sight  of  a  richly- wooded, 
level  country.  The  wind  abated,  and  the  sailors  shaped 
their  course  for  Greenland.  The  news  of  their  great 
discovery  fired  the  heart  of  Leif,  son  of  Eric  the  Red, 
who  had  founded  the  Greenland  colony.  He  at  on( 
resolved  to  set  out  and  explore  the  new  country,  Oi 
which  he  had  received  such  a  glowing  account.  He  was 
accompanied  on  this  voyage  by  Bjorn. 

4.  The  bold  adventurers  first  reached  a  rocky  island, 
to  which  they  gave  the  name  of  Hellulaud,  or  the  land 
of  naked  rocks.     This  must  have  been  Newfoundland, 


1498,] 


F^RST  DISCOVERERS. 


11 


■* 


which  lay  directly  in  their  course.  Soon  after,  they 
came  in  sight  of  a  low  country,  thickly  wooded,  which 
they  called,  in  consequence,  Marklah^.  Probably  this 
was  Nova  Scotia,  \fter  a  few  days  they  arrived  at  a 
|)lace  where  they  found  the  wild  vines  growing,  and 
called  it  Vinland.  Here  they  spent  the  winter.  Some 
of  tlie  inhabitants  of  the  country'  cami*  to  them  in  leather 
boats,  and  they  traded  with  them  for  furs.  The  Norse 
legends  call  these  people  Skraelings.  Probably  they 
were  Esquimaux  (pronounced  Es-ki-mo),  as  they  are 
described  as  being  of  dwarfish  stature  and  swarthy  com- 
l)lexion.  It  is  believed  that  Vinland  was  the  northern 
part  of  Rhode  Island,  where  the  fox-grape  still  grows 
wild.  Besides,  the  story  mentions  that,  at  that  place, 
the  sun  remained  nine  hours  above  the  horizon,  on  the 
shortest  day.  This  would  indicate  the  latitude  of  Rhode 
Island.  The  Norsemen  retumed  to  Greenland  in  the 
spring,  and  spread  enthusiastic  accounts  of  their  new 
dwelling-place,  praising  the  climate  and  soil,  the  grapes 
and  salmon.  The  consequence  was  that  large  parties  of 
the  Northmen  set  sail  for  the  new  country  and  there 
founded  a  colony.  .   ,,  ,. 

6.  How  long  this  settlement  existed  is  not  known ; 
but  at  length  it  was  abandoned,  probably  owing  to  the 
hostility  of  the  Skraelings.  The  Norsemen  sailed  away 
from  Vinland  to  return  no  more,  and  all  traces  of  their 
colony  disappeared.  In  course  of  time  their  colonies 
in  Greenland  were  also  abandoned.  The  memory  of 
Ilelluland  and  Vinland  almost  faded  away,  and  were 
only  preserved  in  the  Icelandic  and  Norwegian  Sagas, 
or  story-books,  where  they  have  been  found  in  recent 
times.  So  far  as  is  known,  no  European  vessel  followed 
in  the  track  of  the  Northmen,  or  crossed  the  Atlantic 
in    any   other   direction,    for    five   hundred    years,   till 


Til 


!i 


il  ' 


I    ! 


l!i 


!   ,  ■    ' 


II  M 


n 


FIRST   DISCOVERERS. 


[1001- 


Columbus  discovered  tlie  New  World,  far  away  to  the 
south,  at  the  close  of  the  fifteenth  centurv. 

6.  There  can,  lic^wever,  be  no  doubt  that  these  North- 
men were  the  first  white  men  who  saw  Newfoundland, 
and  that  they  were  familiar  with  portions  of  the  north- 
cast  coast  of  America.  It  is  also  not  improbable  that 
traditions  of  their  discoveries  would  linger  among  the 
people  of  Iceland  for  generations.  Around  their  winter 
firesides,  the  old  Icelanders  would  tell  to  English  and 
Spanish  sailors,  who  visited  their  shores,  how  their  great- 
grandfathers had  fouiid  a  vine-growing  country,  far 
away  to  the  west.  Columbus  is  said  to  have  made  a 
voyage  to  Iceland,  and  these  legends  may  have  helped 
to  fire  his  enthusiasm  for  discovery.  Sailors  from  Bris- 
tol traded  to  Iceland,  and  may  have  carried  the  same 
tale  to  the  ears  of  Cabot,  who  was  to  re-discover 
Newfoundland ;  and  thus  his  hopes  of  finding  land 
across  the  Atlantic,  in  the  north-west,  may  have  been 
strengthened. 

7.  At  length  the  day  arrived  when  these  achieve- 
ments of  the  pioneer  Norsemen  were  to  be  altogether 
cast  into  the  shade,  and  when  the  curtain  that  had  so 
Ions;  shrouded  the  sreat  continent  of  America  from  the 
eyes  of  Europeans  was  to  be  completely  and  for  ever 
drawn  aside.  The  fifteenth  centur\'  was  the  age  of  geo- 
graphical discoveries  and  maritime  adventures.  New 
ideas  regarding  the  world  and  men's  destiny  in  it  be- 
gan to  make  way.  Suspicions  arose  in  the  minds  of 
thoughtful  men  that  the  narrow  stri^)  of  earth,  consist- 
ing of  parts  of  Europe,  Asia,  and  Africa,  —  all  that  was 
then  known,—  couid  not  be  the  whole.  There  was  one 
man  who  had  pondered  deeply,  for  many  years,  on 
these  secrets  of  the  world.  His  name  was  Christopher 
Columbus,  a  native  of  Genoa  in  Italy.     He  was  one  of 


14P8.] 


FIRST  DISCOVERERS. 


18 


the  most  skilful  and  feailebs  navigators  of  his  day. 
In  his  mind  at  length  arose  the  great  thought,  that  by 
sailing  out  into  those  wrlery  wastes  which  lay  to  the 
west,  he  would  discover  land.  He  by  no  means  hoped 
to  find  a  great  continent,  untrodden  by  the  foot  of  any 
Euroi)ean  ;  })ut  he  thought  that  by  sailing  westward,  he 


COLUMBUS. 

would  reach  the  eastern  shores  of  Asia,  and  arrive  at 
Cipango  and  Cathay,  as  Japan  and  China  were  then 
called.  He  fancied  the  globe  to  be  much  Sxnaller  than 
it  is ;  and  little  suspected  that  a  vast  continent  and  the 
wide  Pacific  Ocean  lay  between  him  and  Eastern  Asia. 
8.  The  preat  thought,  dimly  seen  at  first,  rose 
grander  and  grander,  and  at  length  possessed  the  whole 
soul  of  Columbus.     After  great  trials  and  ditticulties, 


1i'  ; 


14 


FIRST  DTSaOVERERS. 


[1001- 


'  I 


'ih 


i  'i 

ill.) 


ii 

I 


and  much  opposition,  ho  at  length  inducod  Ferdinand 
and  Isabella,  sovereigns  of  Spain,  to  intrust  him  with 
the  command  of  three  small  8hii)s,  for  purposes  of  dis- 
covery. The  little  stpiadron  carried  only  one  hundred 
and  twenty  men.  On  the  3d  of  August,  1492,  he  sailed 
from  the  port  of  Palos,  in  Andalusia;  and  on  the  r2th 
of  October  he  landed  on  an  islaud  which  he  called  San 
Salvador,  one  of  the  Bahamas.  On  that  day  connec- 
tion between  the  two  worlds  began.  A  noble  deed  was 
done,  such  as  can  never  be  repeated  —  one  that  must 
stand  alone  in  tiie  records  of  time,  encircling  the  name 
of  the  doer  with  imperishable  renown.  His  discovery 
may  be  said  to  have  doubled  the  habitable  globe.  Once 
and  for  ever  the  knowledge  of  a  New  World  was  secured 
for  all  men. 

9.  The  daring  achievement  of  Columbus  was  soon 
followed  by  another,  which,  though  not  so  brilliant  and 
dazzling,  has  secured  for  Cabot  a  fame  second  only  to 
that  of  the  discoverer  of  the  New  World.  We  can  easily 
fancy  what  an  effect  on  men's  minds  the  news  of  Cohnn- 
bus's  great  discovery  must  have  produced,  as  it  flew 
from  nation  to  nation.  All  the  noble,  energetic  spirits 
of  Euroi)e  longed  to  explore  the  wonders  of  the  new 
country.  Among  those  who  felt  this  impulse  most 
strongly  were  John  Cabot  and  his  son  Sebastian,  who 
were  then  living  in  the  city  of  Bristol,  a  seaport  on  the 
west  coast  of  England.  John  Cabot  was  a  native  of 
Venice,  who  had  for  some  time  resided  in  Bristol,  where 
ills  children  were  born,  and  where  he  had  successfully 
carried  on  business  as  a  merchant.  He  was  an  intelli- 
gent, thoughtful  man.  His  son  Sebastian  was  an  able 
navigator ;  and  both  father  and  son  had  given  nmch 
attention  to  the  great  maritime  enterprises  which  then 
filled  the  minds  of  men.    To  them  the  thought  presented 


1408.] 


FIRST  DISCOVERKRS. 


15 


itself,  that  ])y  taking  a  north-west  course,  instead  of  the 
track  which  had  led  Coliiml)iis  to  San  Salvador,  they 
would  reach,  by  a  shorter  route,  the  eastern  coasts  of 
Asia.  In  this  way  they  hoped  to  open  up  intercourse 
with  the  Cathay  and  Cipaugo,  of  which  Marco  Polo,  the 
great  traveller,  had 
given  such  glowing 
accounts. 

10.  They  had 
no  trouble  in  in- 
ducing Henry  VII., 
who  then  occupied 
the  throne  of  Eng- 
land, to  sanction 
their  enterprise. 
This  monarch  was 
3orely  mortified 
that  he  had  not  be- 
come the  patron  of 
Columbus,  and 
thus  shared  in  the 
honours  and  profits 
of  his  discoveries. 
He  now  readily  lis- 
tened to  the  bold 
project  of  the 
Cabots,  and 
granted  them  "  letters  patent,"  authorizing  their  under- 
taking. With  the  parsimony  for  which  he  was  noted,  he 
left  these  men  to  bear  all  the  expenses  of  the  enterprise, 
and,  in  addition,  bargai'^od  with  them  for  a  fifth  part  of 
all  the  profits.  Not  much  credit  is  due  to  the  king.  The 
whole  honour  belongs  to  the  Cabots,  who  adventured,  not 
only  their  fortunes,  but  their  lives,  for  the  gfory  of  their 
adopted  country.  ,.  ^ 


SEBASTIAN    CABOT. 


16 


FIRST   DISCOVERERS. 


[1001- 


Hi 


I   I'' 
■I;!:! 

'I 
til  II 

li'il 
iliii 


I  Mi 


■M  •■ 


fij: 


11.  And  80,  early  in  the  month  of  May,  1497,  in  a 
small  caravel  culled  "  The  Matthew,"  probably  under  one 
hundred  tons  burthen,  these  bold  navigators  saihul  from 
the  port  of  Bristol.  Their  course  lay  to  the  north-west, 
across  the  stormy  wastes  of  the  North  Atlantic,  where, 
since  the  days  of  the  Northmen,  European  ship  had 
never  ventured. 

12.  Unfortunately,  very  few  records  of  this  voyage, 
from  which  such  important  consequences  were  to  flow, 
have  been  preserved.  But,  in  fancy,  we  can  follow  the 
little  vessel,  as  it  ploughs  its  way  over  the  heaving  bil- 
lows of  an  unknown  sea.  We  can  see,  in  imagination, 
the  resolute  commander  and  his  heroic  son,  as  they  pace 
the  deck,  vigilant,  hopeful,  breathing  courage  into  the 
hearts  of  the  half-terrified  sailors,  blessing  every  breeze 
that  waits  them  away  from  the  habitations  of  civilized 
men.  Onward  the  little  vessel  glides,  a  mere  speck  up- 
on the  waters.  On  the  evening  of  June  23d  the  sun 
went  down  on  the  weary  round  of  waters,  and  as  yet 
there  was  no  sign  of  land.  Hope  began  to  waver.  But 
as  the  mist  cleared  away  on  the  morning  of  June  24th, 
the  glad  cry  of  "  Land  Ho  !  "  rang  out  from  the  mast- 
head of  "  The  Matthew,"  and  a  round  of  hearty  cheers 
from  stout  English  sailors  greeted  the  first  sight  of  the 
island  of  Newfoundland.  We  can  fancv  how  glad  and 
thankful  these  brave  men  must  have  felt  at  the  success- 
ful termination  of  their  perilous  voyage. 

13.  For  a  long  time  it  was  doubtful  what  part  of  the 
New  World  was  first  seen  by  Cabot,  and  named  by  him 
"Prima  Vista."  Some  said  it  was  Cape  Bonavista,  on 
the  eastern  coast  of  Newfoundland.  Others  declared  it 
was  a  part  of  the  Labrador  coast.  Such  doubts  have 
lately  been  set  at  rest  by  the  discovery  of  a  map,  bear- 
ing the  date  of  1544,  and  made  by  Sebastian  Cabot,  or 


149H.] 


FlliS  T  DISCO  VERER8. 


17 


under  liiH  direction.  This  map  shows  that  his  "Prima 
Vista"  was  near  tho  eastern  point  of  the  present  island 
of  Cape  Breton.  After  making  land  liere,  Cabot  appears 
to  have  steered  in  a  north-westerly  direction,  passing 
round  Prince  Edwai-d  Island  ;  then  north-easterly,  till 
he  fell  in  with  the  coast  of  Labrador ;  and  then  home- 
ward, through  the  Straits  of  Belle  Isle,  round  the  north 
of  Newfoundland.  ..-'   .,•    .        .     t    v  '. 


AMERIGO   VESPUCCI. 

The  main  fact,  however,  is,  that  on  this  first  voyage 
he  discovered  Newfoundland,  and  was  also  the  discoverer 
of  the  continent  of  America.  At  this  date,  only  some 
of  the  West  India  islands  had  been  discovered  by  Colum- 
bus ;  and  Amerigo  Vespucci  (pronounced  Ah-md-re- 
go  Ves-poot-cJie) ,  whose  name  has  been  given  to  the 
New  World,  had  not  made  his  first  voyage  across  the 
Atlantic   at  the  period  of  Cabot's  discoverv.     Thus,  the 

ft/  7  ^^ 


*■ 


18 


FIRST  DISCOVERERS. 


[lOOl- 


li 


^filiiii 


honour  of  discovering  continental  America  belongs  of 
right  to  Cabot. 

14.  As  there  is  no  mention  of  John  Cabot  after  this 
time,  it  is  probable  that  he  did  not  long  survive  his  first 
famous  voyage.  His  son  Sebastian  now  took  his  place 
as  a  discoverer.  In  the  following  year,  1498,  he  was 
authorized  by  King  Henr}"  to  sail  again,  with  six  ships, 
to  the  land  and  islands  which  he  had  found.  On  this 
second  expedition  he  sailed  along  the  coast  of  Labrador 
to  the  60th  degree  of  north  latitude.  Deterred  by  the 
cold  and  ice  from  proceeding  farther,  he  turned  soutH, 
and  coasted  as  far  as  the  38th  degree,  and  then  returned 
to  England.  Thus,  b}'  right  of  discovery,  he  secured 
for  England  a  claim  to  Newfoundland  and  the  neigh- 
bouring islands,  and  also  to  the  whole  coast  of  North 
America,  from  Hudson's  Bay  to  Florida.  He  did  for 
England  as  much  as  Columbus  had  done  for  Spain. 

16.  On  his  return  from  the  first  voyage,  King  Henry, 
with  his  characteristic  stinginess,  presented  John  Cabot 
with  gratuity  of  ten  pounds.  An  entry  of  this  shabby 
transaction  has  been  found  in  the  privy-purse  accounts 
in  the  following  words:  "August  10th,  1497,  To  H^m 
that  found  the  New  Isle,  £10."  But  the  English  people 
appreciated  his  worth  and  great  services  better  than 
their  king.  They  followed  him  in  crowds,  wherever  he 
appeared,  to  pay  him  honour;  called  him  "The  Great 
Admiral "  ;  and  he  could  have  enlisted  as  many  of  them 
as  he  pleased  for  his  future  voyages. 

16.  Sebastian  Cabot  made  a  third  voyage,  on  which 
he  is  said  to  have  sailed  as  far  south  as  Cuba.  For 
many  years  he  lived  in  England,  honoured  and  admired 
for  his  kind,  modest  disposition.  He  was  ever  urging 
on  new  maritime  and  commercial  adventures.  In  com- 
pany with  others,  he  was  the  first  to  open  up  a  trade 


1498.] 


FIRST  DISCOVERERS. 


between  England  and  Russia.  After  a  time  he  entered 
the  service  of  the  King  of  Spain,  and  was  the  discoverer 
of  Brazil  and  the  explorer  of  the  Plata  and  Paraguay 
rivers.  In  the  reign  of  Edward  VI.,  he  returned  to 
England,  and  was  appointed  Chief  Pilot  of  the  king- 
dom, with  a  pension.  He  died  in  his  eightieth  year,  in 
London.  It  is  told  of  him  that,  on  his  dj'ing  bed,  his 
thoughts  often  turned  to  the  sea,  whose  mysterious 
secrets  he  had  pondered  for  three-score  years,  and  over 
whose  billows  his  adventurous  youth  had  opened  a  path- 
way. In  the  fevered  wanderings  of  his  mind  he  spoke 
of  a  new  and  infallible  method  of  finding  the  longitude 
which  had  been  divinely  revealed  to  him,  but  which  he 
was  not  permitted  to  disclose  4o  any  mortal. 

17.  It  was  said  of  him  that  "  he  gave  England  a 
continent — and  no  one  knows  his  burial-place."  It 
may  be  added  that,  in  all  that  continent,  there  is  not  a 
spot  called  hy  his  name,  with  the  exception  of  one  small 
island  on  the  eastern  coast  of  Newfoundland,  to  which 
was  recently  given  the  name  of  Cabot's  Island. 


|i| 


20 


EX  A  MINA  riON    Q  UES  TIONS. 


illli 


^;ii' 


111 

if  H I 


QUESTIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION  ON  CHAPTER  I. 

I,  Describe  the  situation  of  Newfoundland.  Give  the  dimen- 
sions of  the  island.     Why  is  its  position  so  important? 

2*  W,ho  were  the  Northmen  ?  What  were  they  noted  for? 
Give  an  account  of  their  colonies  in  Iceland  an  1  Greenland. 

3.  Describe  the  way  in  which  the  Northmen  were  led  to  dis- 
cover America.  What  name  did  they  give  Newfoundland,  and 
why? 

4.  Where  were  their  Markland  and  Vinland?  Who  were 
their  leaders  on  this  expedition?  What  people  did  they  meet  with 
in  "Vinland? 

5.  Why  did  they  abandon  their  colony  in  Vinland?  Where 
was  the  story  of  their  discoveries  preserved? 

6.  How  might  it  have  been  possible  for  Columbus  and  Cabot 
to  hear  of  their  voyages  ? 

7.  What  was  the  fifteenth  century  noted  for?  Who  was 
Columbus?  What  was  the  great  thought  whicli  he  cherished? 
Where  did  he  hope  to  arrive  by  sailing  vest? 

8.  Who  assisted  him  on  his  first  voyage?  Give  the  dates  of 
his  departure  and  arrival.  Where  did  he  land?  What  makes  his 
discovery  so  great? 

9.  Give  an  account  of  John  Cabot  and  his  son  Sebastian. 
What  course  did  they  propose  to  take,  and  what  country  did  they 
hope  to  reach?  ' 

10.  What  did  Henry  VII.  do  to  assist  the  Cabots? 

II,  When  did  Cabot  sail?    Name  of  the  vessel? 

12.  Give  an  account  of  the  voyage.  What  land  was  dis- 
covered, and  on  what  day? 

13.  Where  was  Cabot's  "Prima  Vista"?  What  different 
opinions  about  it  have  been  held?  What  was  Cabot's  course 
home?     Who  first  discovered  the  continent  of  America? 

14.  Describe  Cabot's  second  voyage.     What  were  its  results? 
16.   What  reward  did  Henry  VII.  give  Cabot?    How  did  the 

English  people  regard  him? 

16.  Give  a  sketch  of  the  remaining  portion  of  Cabot's  life? 
Mention  his  further  discoveries.  How  were  his  thoughts  em- 
ployed on  his  death-bed? 

17.  How  was  his  memory  neglected?  Does  anyplace  bear 
his  name? 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


21 


;.,_:,,        MAP  QUESTIONS.       ,  v.    ,.v,....v;  ,<,:>--.^ 

Give  the  boundaries  of  Newfoundland.  Where  are  the  Straits 
of  Belle  Isle?  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence?  Labrador?  Cape  Breton? 
Show  the  positions  of  Norway,  Iceland,  Greenland,  Rhode  Island. 
Where  are  Genoa,  Venice,  Palos,  San  Salvador?  Trace  the 
course  of  Columbus  to  the  Bahamas.  Point  out  Japan  and  China. 
Where  is  Bristol?    Trace  Cabot's  first  voyage. 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS  IN  CHAPTER  I. 

The  Northmen.  —  In  the  ninth  and  tenth  centuries,  the  Noraemen, 
or  Vikings,  were  the  terror  of  Christendom.  From  their  rugged  strong- 
holds in  Norway  and  Deumark,  they  issued  in  their  light  barques,  ravag- 
ing the  shores  of  Southern  Europe,  carrying  terror  and  destruction 
wherever  they  went.  Their  skill  in  the  management  of  their  ships  was 
marvellous.  The  affrighted  dwellers  on  the  shore  saw  them  fearlessly 
careering  over  the  stormiest  seas,  with  all  sails  set.  No  port  was  safe 
from  their  attacks.  Passing  up  the  rivers  in  their  small  boats,  they  as- 
sailed the  inland  towns,  bui'uinsr  and  slaying.  They  were  heathen  of  the 
most  ferocious  type,  without  fear  or  pity.  They  regarded  the  sea  as  their 
proper  domain,  and  all  that  was  to  be  found  on  it  as  their  lawful  prey. 
England  felt  the  weight  of  their  strong  arms.  They  ravaged  its  cities 
and  planted  a  powerful  kingdom  within  its  boundaries,  which  required  all 
the  skill  and  courage  of  the  Saxon  King  Alfred  to  subdue.  In  France 
the  Northmen  seized  and  held  Normandy,  and  from  this  vantage  ground, 
in  1066,  they  invaded  and  conquered  Saxon  England.  With  all  their  wild 
energy  and  destructiveness,  we  can  now  see,  on  calmly  looking  back,  that 
this  people,  mingling  with  the  other  nati'  is  of  Europe,  imparted  to  them 
many  elements  of  valor,  strength,  and  greatness.  The  English  of  to-day 
have  a  large  mixture  of  Scandinavian  blood  in  their  veins,  to  which  they 
owe  some  of  their  best  qualities.  Such  were  the  wild  sea-rovers  who, 
before  all  other  pale-faced  men,  looked  on  the  shores  of  Newfoundland, 
and  first  colonized  the  American  continent. 

The  Norsemen's  Sagas.  —  Saga  is  a  Norse  woi-d,  and  denotes  a 
talc  or  poem  founded  on  oi*al  tradition,  and  gradually  moulded  into  a 
written  form.  The  old  Icelandic,  Nonvegian,  and  Danish  literature  has 
of  late  yeai-s  engaged  the  attention  of  scholars,  and  consists  largely  of 
these  half-historical,  half-mythical  sagas,  some  of  which  have  been 
translated  into  English.  They  belong  from  the  ninth  to  the  thirteenth 
centuries.  The  Royal  Society  of  Northern  Antiquarians  at  Copenhagen 
has  given  special  attention  to  this  literature. 


i  '! 


.1    ! 


Ill 


I 

I    I 


I 


iiifi 


22 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


Christopher  Columbus.  —  Born  at  Genoa  about  the  year  1435. 
He  was  the  son  of  a  cloth- weaver.  When  a  youth,  he  acquired  a  good 
knowledge  of  the  Latin  language,  and  of  geometry,  astronomy,  and  nav- 
igation. At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  went  to  sea,  being  drawn  to  it  by  an 
irresistible  longing.  For  twenty  years  he  was  either  constantly  voyaging 
or  making  chai-ts.  When  thirty-five  years  of  age  he  came  to  Portugal, 
drawn  by  the  fame  of  its  sea-captains  and  maritime  discoveries.  Thence 
he  passed  to  Spain,  and  obtained  the  patronage  of  Ferdinand  and  Isabella. 
When  he  retm-ned  after  his  great  discoverv,  he;  was  received  with  all  the 
honors  of  a  triumphant  conqueror ;  and  the  poor  Genoese  sailor  became 
the  most  famous  man  in  all  the  world.  He  made  three  more  voyages,  in 
the  last  of  which  he  discovered,  in  1498,  the  mainland  of  America,  at  the 
mouth  of  the  river  Orinoco.  Yet  he  never  knew  that  he  had  discovered 
a  new  continent,  and  died  in  the  belief  that  what  he  had  found  was  the 
eastern  coast  of  Asia.  He  soon  found  the  worthlessness  of  popularity. 
Seven  years  after  his  discovery  he  was  sent  home  a  prisoner  in  chains 
from  the  land  he  had  found.  On  his  return  from  his  final  expedition, 
broken  in  health  and  spirits,  his  noble  patroness,  Queen  Isabella,  was  dead, 
and  the  ungrateful  Ferdinand  received  him  coldly,  refused  to  restore  him 
his  offices  and  property,  of  which  he  had  been  unjustly  deprived,  and 
left  hi'  to  spend  his  last  daj's  in  poverty  and  neglect.  He  died  on  the 
20th  -♦lay,  1506,  at  the  age  of  seventy.  His  remains  were  interred  first 
in  Valladolid ;  afterwards  carried  to  Seville ;  then  taken  across  the 
Atlantic  to  St.  Domingo ;  and  finally,  two  hundred  and  fifty  years  after- 
wards to  Havana,  in  the  island  of  Cuba.  In  the  Cathedral  of  Havana, 
on  the  right  hand  of  the  high  altar,  is  an  insignificant  mural  tablet,  with 
a  Latin  insci'iption.  There  is  nothing  else  to  mark  the  grave  of  the  Dis- 
coverer of  the  New  World.  But  he  whose  monument  is  a  whole  conti- 
nent needs  no  inscription  on  marble  to  perpetuate  his  deeds,  which  are 
indelibly  inscribed  on  the  memory  of  mankind. 

Sebastian  Cabot.  —  The  memory  of  Cabot  has  received  a  similar 
unworthy  treatment.  His  maps,  charts,  and  journals,  documents  of 
immense  value,  were  never  published,  and  were  either  lost  through 
carelessness  or  wilfully  destroyed.  Nicholls,  in  his  Memoir  of  Cabot, 
who  was  one  of  the  noblest  and  bravest  men  who  ever  trod  an  English 
deck,  says,  *'  The  date  of  his  death,  like  that  of  his  birth,  is  unknown, 
and  we  can  only  infer  that  it  was  in  or  near  London,  from  the  fact  that 
Richard  Eden,  his  faithful  and  attached  friend,  who  lived  there,  was 
present.  Even  where  his  ashes  lie  is  a  mystery ;  and  he  who  gave  to 
England  a  continent,  and  to  Spain  an  empire,  lies  in  some  unknown 
tomb.  This  man,  who  surveyed  and  depicted  three  thousand  miles  of 
a  coast  which  he  had  discovered ;  who  gave  to  Britain,  not  only  the  con- 
tinent, but  the  untold  riches  of  the  deep,  in  the  fisheries  of  Newfound- 
land, and  the  whale  fishery  of  the  Arctic  Sea ;  who,  by  his  uprightness 
and  fair  dealing,  raised  Enj'land's  name  higli  among  the  nations,  placed 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


23 


her  credit  on  a  solid  foundation  and  made  her  citizens  respected ;  who 
was  the  father  of  free  trade,  and  gave  us  the  carrying  trado  of  the  world ; 
this  man  has  not  a  statue  in  the  city  that  gave  him  birth,  or  in  the 
metropolis  of  the  country  he  so  greatly  enriched,  or  a  name  on  the  land 
he  discovei'ed.  Emphatically  the  most  scientific  seaman  of  his  own,  or, 
perhaps,  many  subsequent  ages,  —  one  of  the  gentlest,  bravest,  best  of 
men,  —  hia  actions  have  been  misrepresented,  his  discoveries  denied,  his 
deeds  ascribed  to  others,  and  calumny  has  Hung  its  filth  on  his  memory." 

The  world  knows  not  its  prophets ;  stones  them  when  living,  leaving 
after  ages  to  build  their  sepulchres. 

Amerigo  Vespucci,  —  or  Americus  Vespucius,  ps  he  is  commonly 
called,  —  was  born  in  Florence  at  1451.  Under  the  auspices  of  the  King 
of  Portugal,  he  made  two  voyages  to  South  America,  of  which  he  pub- 
lished accounts,  declaring  himself  the  discoverer  of  the  mainland  of  the 
Western  Continent.  Some  years  afterwards  a  German  geographer  pro- 
posed that  the  name  America  should  be  given  to  the  new  land,  in  his 
honour.  By  some  strange  caprice  of  fortune  the  proposal  found  accept- 
ance, and  Columbus's  claims  to  name  the  land  he  had  discovered  wei'e 
unjustly  set  aside.  ■• 

Marco  Polo.  —  Born  at  Venice.  He  visited  in  1272  the  court  of 
Kublai  Khan,  the  ruler  of  Chinese  Tartary,  who  intrusted  him  with  mis- 
sions to  China  and  India.  He  was  the  first  European  who  visited  China 
proper.  After  his  many  wanderings,  he  returned  home  and  wrote  an 
account  of  his  travels,  which  excited  the  gi-eatest  interest,  and  helped 
to  kindle  the  passion  for  discovery  in  the  lands  he  had  traversed  in  the 
mind  of  Columbus  himself. 

"Prima  Vista."  — Though  Cabot's  map  seemed  to  indicate  the 
eastern  point  of  Cape  Breton  Island  as  the  first  land  he  approached, — 
or  his  "  Prima  Vista," — yet  as  Ne^vfoundland  is  but  fifty  or  sixty  miles 
distant  from  that  point,  and  was  probably  seen  soon  after  as  the  vessel 
glided  along  the  coast,  and  as  most  of  the  histories  of  the  voyage  repre- 
sent Newfoundland  as  the  first  land  discovered  by  Cabot,  I  have  followed 
the  common  account  in  the  text,  and  represented  the  sailors  of  "  The 
Matthew  "  as  greeting  the  sight  of  the  island  with  British  cheei*s. 


i#^> 


■.•-,-'«V 


'f;;*  ,v:?j,'', 


■/    -- 


!'-■'•■';•?%•    -^^   -.   '•^.'.'f' 


li 


24 


CHRONOLOGY. 


i  if. 


(ill! 


CHRONOLOGICAL   SUMMARY. —MEMORABLE   EVENTS 
AND  PERSONS  OF  THE  PERIOD. 


lii? 


I  i 


A.  D. 

1001.- 

1015. 
1042. 
1066. 
1096. 
1147. 
1189. 


1215. 

1270.^ 

1311." 

1343. 

1346. 


1431. 
1435. 
1452. 
1455. 
1472. 
1474. 
1479. 
1485. 
1492. 
1497. 

1498. 

1499. 
1506. 


Newfoundland  and  the  Continent  of  America  discovered 
by  the  Northmen. 

Canute  the  Great  (Dane)  ,^n  the  throne  of  England. 

Edward  the  Confessor. 

William  the  Conqueror. 

First  Crusade,  led  by  Peter  i  le  Hermit. 

Second  Crusade,  led  by  Louis  VII.  of  France. 

Richard  I.  of  England  began  to  reign. 

Third  Crusade,  led  by  Frederic  Barbarossa,  Philip  Au- 
gustus, and  Richard  of  England. 

Magna  Charta  obtained.  '    . 

Eighth  and  last  Crusade. 

Suppression  of  the  Knights  Templar. 

Cannon  first  used. 

Battle  of  Cr6cy. 

Distinguished  authors  of  the  fourteenth  century  —  Dante, 
Petrarch,  Boccaccio,  Chaucer,  Froissart. 

Joan  of  Arc  burned. 

Christopher  Columbus  born. 

Invention  of  printing. 

Wars  of  the  Roses  begun. 

Sebastian  Cabot  born  at  Bristol. 

First  book  printed  in  England. 

Union  of  the  Kingdom  of  Ferdinand  and  Isabella. 

Henry  VII.  of  England  began  to  reign. 

America  discovered  by  Columbus. 

Newfoundland  and  the  Continent  of  America  discovered 
by  the  Cabots.  -       *  . 

Coast  of  America  explored  by  Sebastion  Cabot.  ^ 

Continent  of  America  discovered  by  Columbus. 

Amerigo  Vespucci  visited  South  America. 

Death  of  Columbus.  » 


k 


.11  i 


THE  RED  INDIANS. 


25 


W  ■■;"■"■■  ^J  /'■■■>..>;•■ 


.'ifi:  ^ 


f.'  ,  "^   -f ,'.-  ■l^'/v»--,,   >S-t,  > 


,'     -Iff     '*    >,^--'-'^,         •■■■:'>■    .''4    1", 'jv'^'x'i 


CHAPTER  II. 


THE  RED  INDIANS,   OR  ABORIGINAL  INHABITANTS 
OF  NEWFOUNDLAND. 


THEIR   ORIGIN. MEMBERS  OF  THE  ALGONQUIN    FAMILY.  — 

THEIR    MODES    OF    LIFE.  —  SAD    FATE. 

1.  When  the  island  of  Newfoundland  was  discovered 
by  Cabot  it  was  found  to  be  inhabited  by  a  savage  tribe 
of  Red  Indians,  who  lived  by  hunting  and  fishing.  They 
called  themselves  Bethucks  or  Boeothics.  Their  appear- 
ance and  modes  of  life  prove  that  they  were  a  branch  of 
the  race  of  red  men  who  were  found  spread  over  the  whole 
continent  of  North  America.  At  what  time  this  tribe  wan- 
dered away  from  the  parent  stock,  and  found  their  way 
to  Newfoundland,  is  utterly  unknown.  Most  likely  they 
crossed  originally  from  Canada,  by  the  Straits  of  Belle 
Isle,  or  from  the  neighbouring  island  of  Cape  Breton. 

However  this  maj-  have  been,  they  v;rere  widely  spread 
over  the  island  when  the  white  men  arrived.  In  all 
probability,  for  many  centuries  before,  they  had  been 
hunting  the  reindeer  and  bear,  trapping  the  otter,  fox, 
and  beaver,  and  gliding  over  the  lakes  and  rivers  in 
their  birch  canoes.  The  herds  of  reindeer,  the  ptarmi- 
gan, wild  geese  and  ducks,  the  salmon,  codfish,  and 
seals,  must  have  given  them  food  in  abundance.  The 
skins  of  the  animals  they  slaughtered,  and  the  rich  furs 
which  were  the  spoils  of  the  chase,  supplied  them  with 
clothing.  They  had  a  method  of  preparing  these  skins 
for  use  by  smoking  them,  instead  of  tanning,  as  is  now 
the  practice.  ~^ 


Trwt 


^6 


TffB  RED  INDIANS, 


HIDfi 


I 


I|n| 


|l!!lli! 


For  this  wild,  roving  people  it  was  an  evil  day  when 
the  pale-faces  appeared.  Then  began  those  conflicts, 
cruelties,  and  miseries  which  at  length  ended  in  the  com- 
plete extinction  of  the  race.  In  the  whole  of  the  island 
not  a  single  representative  of  this  once  numerous  tribe 
now  exists.  Only  a  few  relics,  consisting  of  their  arrow- 
heads, hatchets,  and  other  stone  implements,  have  been 
preserved.  Some  of  these,  and  also  a  single  skull  of 
one  of  the  race,  are  now  in  the  Geological  Museum  in 
St.  John's,  and  they  are  nearly  all  the  traces  of  the  Red 
Indians  now  left. 

2.  When  Europeans  began  to  explore  the  continent 
of  America,  north  and  south,  they  found  it  occupied  by 
a  people  very  unlike  themselves.  They  named  them 
"  Indians,"  because  they  supposed  the  country  to  be  only 
the  eastern  part  of  Asia,  or  India,  as  it  was  then  gener- 
ally called.  Finding  their  mistake  afterwards,  they 
called  this  strange  people  "American  Indians."  They 
presented  a  great  diversity  in  appearance  and  modes  of 
life  ;  and  yet  there  was  a  family  likeness,  common  to  them 
all,  which  has  led  learned  men  to  conclude  that  they 
were  all  descended  from  the  same  stock.  Their  origin 
is  unknown.  They  were  all  of  the  same  swarthy  and 
copper  colour ;  had  long,  straight,  black  hair,  high  cheek- 
bones, long  eyes,  and  scanty  beards.  The  most  natural 
division  of  them  is  into  two  great  families,  one  called 
the  Toltecan,  and  the  other  the  American.  The  Toltecan 
nations  include  the  Mexicans,  Peruvians,  and  Chilians, 
who  were  found  in  a  much  more  advanced  state  of  civili- 
zation than  the  American  division,  which  comprehended 
all  the  barbarous  tribes  of  the  New  World. 

3.  Tt  is  believed  that  the  whole  of  the  American 
aborigines  numbered  in  the  vicinity  of  20,000,000  when 
the  Europeans  arrived.     Those  tribes  who  lived  along 


THE   RED  INDIANS. 


27 


the  Atlantic  coast  of  North  America  occupied  both  sides 
of  the  Alleghany  mountains,  from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  to 
Canada  and  New  Brunswick.  Nearly  all  of  these  be- 
longed to  two  great  families,  called  the  Algonquins  and 
the  Iroquois.  The  Algonquins  were  spread  over  the 
space  between  the  river  Mississippi  and  the  Atlantic,  and 
as  far  north  as  Hudson's  Bay  They  all  spoke  dialects 
of  the  same  language.  This  great  family  included  such 
tribes  as  the  Ottawas,  Ojibways,  Chippewas,  Abena- 
(juis,  and  many  more.  The  Iroquois,  called  also  the 
'  Five  Nations  "  and  the  "  Six  Nations,"  lived  to  the 
south  of  the  great  lakes  of  Canada,  and  comprehended 
such  tribes  as  the  Mohawks,  Hurons,  Senecas,  and  many 
besides.  They  also  spoke  dialects  of  one  language.  It 
is  believed  that  both  together  nunjj)ered  a  quarter  of  a 
million  of  Indians. 

4.  The  question  arises,  to  which  of  the  two  great 
families  did  the  Indians  of  Newfoundland  belong?  From 
an  examination  of  their  language  learned  men  are  satis- 
fied that  they  were  a  branch  of  the  wide-spread  and  war- 
like Algonquins.  In  their  habits,  appearance,  and  mode 
of  life  they  resembled  the  Algonquin  tribes  who  lived 
in  Nova  Scotia,  Cape  Breton,  and  Canada. 

5.  Cabot  said  of  them:  "The  inhabitants  of  this 
island  use  the  skins  and  furs  of  wild  beasts  for  garments, 
which  they  hold  in  as  high  estimation  as  we  do  our  finest 
clothes.  In  war  they  use  bows  and  arrows,  spears, 
darts,  clubs,  and  slings."  Like  the  other  Indians  they 
shaved  their  hair,  except  one  lock,  called  the  "  scalp- 
lock,"  which  was  tied  on  the  top,  and  ornamented  with 
birds'  feathers.  The  women  wore  their  hair  long,  and 
had  closer-fitting  garments  than  the  men,  and  their 
wais  3  girrt  id.  They  had  an  original  method  of  kindling 
fire,  by  striking  together  two  pieces  of  iron  pyrites,  — a 


28 


THE  RED  INDIANS. 


i  iiit 


i  ill  ill 


h  'iii!!! 


kind  of  stone  wliich  is  very  common  in  the  island.  Their 
bows  were  of  sycamore  or  mountain  asli,  the  strings 
being  of  deer's  sinews.  Their  arrows  were  of  well- 
seasoned  pine,  light,  and  perfectly  straight,  the  heads 
being  of  stone  sharpened  to  a  fine  point.  They  were 
able  to  make  fish-hooks  of  bone,  and  nets  out  of  vege- 
table fibres.  -     .      ,  ,. 

6.  They  lived  in  wigwams,  the  frames  of  which  were 
made  of  poles,  and  covered  with  birch-bark,  or  skins, 
through  which  was  an  opening  for  the  smoke  to  escape. ' 
Some  of  these  winter  wigwams  were  large  enough  to 
contain  eighteen  or  twenty  people  ;  and  a  dozen  or  more 
of  them,  when  placed  together,  formed  an  Indian  vil- 
lage. It  has  been  found,  on  examining  the  remains  of 
some  of  these  wigwams,'  that  around  the  fireplaces  they 
dug  small  hollows  in  the  ground,  like  nests,  and  lined 
them  with  dry  moss,  or  the  soft  branches  of  trees.  In 
these  tliey  sat,  and  probably  slept.  The  soft,  warm  lining 
must  have  added  greatly  to  their  comfort  in  the  cold 
nights  of  winter.  They  were  able  to  make  vessels  out 
of  the  rind  of  spruce  trees,  suflSciently  strong  to  stand 

the  heat  of  boiling  water,  and  in  these  they  cooked 
their  meat,  i'•^'•vl^^i■■vt:^■.>''■:  ,:;= '-■£-'.v>.  ■.vr,^- ..v   .;,,  ■.,,.>,^.,  ;^.;^;«;;'r-,;-o, 

7.  Perhaps  the  most  wonderful  of  all  their  contriv- 
ances were  their  deer-fences.  In  order  to  capture  the 
deer,  during  their  annual  migrations  from  north  to  south, 
they  constructed  fences  along  the  banks  of  rivers,  such 
as  the  Exploits.  These  were  sometimes  thirty  or  forty 
miles  in  length.  The  labour  of  erecting  them  and 
keeping  them  in  repair  was  very  great,  and  shows  that 
they  must  have  been  a  numerous  tribe  to  accomplish  so 
much  work.  Openings  were  left  in  these  fences,  at 
different  places,  for  the  deer  to  go  through  and  swim 
across   the   rivers.     At   these   spots   the   Indians  were 


THE  RED  INDIANS. 


20 


stationed,  and  with  their  spears  slaughtered  the  deer 
when  in  the  water,  out  of  their  canoes.  Tlie  fences 
were  made  by  felling  trees  along  tiie  banks,  without 
chopping  their  trunks  quite  through,  and  taking  care 
that  each  tree,  as  it  fell,  took  the  proper  direction,  and 
joined  on  to  the  last  which  had  been  cut.  Any  gaps 
were  filled  by  driving  in  stakes  and  interweaving 
branches  of  trees.  They  were  from  eight  to  ten  feet 
high,  so  that  no  deer  could  overleap  them. 

8.  Their  canoes  were  made  of  the  bark  of  the  white 
birch,  were  light,  often  gracefully  shaped,  and  could  be 
easily  paddled,  as  they  drew  little  water.  The  whole 
rind  of  a  birch  tree  was  stripped  off,  without  being  torn, 
and  then  put  round  a  light  frame.  The  edges  were 
sewed  together  with  thongs,  made  of  the  tough  roots  of 
certain  trees,  and  the  seams  were  covered  with  a  kind  of 
pitch,  made  from  the  gum  of  trees,  so  as  to  render  them 
water-tight.  When  injured  the  canoe  could  be  easily 
patched  with  pieces  of  bark,  fastened  in  the  same  way. 

9."  The  Indian  snow-shoe  was  made  by  stretching  a 
net- work  of  deer's  hide  on  a  light  frame,  three  or  four 
feet  long,  curved  and  tapering.  The  net-work  was 
fastened  to  the  foot  by  thongs,  and  the  foot  was  covered 
only  with  a  light  moccason,  made  of  deer-skin.  On 
these  shoes  an  Indian  could  travel  forty  miles  a  day, 
and  even  run  down  a  deer  whose  hoofs  cut  through  the 
crust  of  the  snow. 

10.  The  Indians  of  Newfoundland,  like  those  of  the 
continent,  were  tall,  well-proportioned,  robust,  but  not 
equal  to  Europeans  in  bodily  strength.  They  had  not 
such  strong  arms,  and  could  not  strike  such  heavy  blows. 
But  they  were  active,  light  of  foot,  a;id  possessed  won- 
derful powers  of  endurance.  Their  carriage  was  grace- 
ful and  dignified.     So  keen  were  their  perceptions  that 


T-^ 


30 


THE  RED  INDIANS. 


m 


'I '« 


IliltiSjI. 
I:      I 


m 


iiiiiiii 


they  could  make  their  way  through  ii  trackless  forest 
with  ease  simply  by  observing  the  appearance  of  the 
moss  and  bark  upon  the  trees.  They  had  tiie  virtues 
and  vices  of  savage  life.  They  were  devoted  to  their 
tribe ;  faithful  to  one  auothei* ;  brav^e,  and  possessed  of 
a  wonderful  fortitude ;  but  in  war  they  were  fierce, 
vindictive,  merciless,  and  cruel  to  prisoners.  They 
treated  their  women  with  cruelty,  and  made  them  work 
like  beasts  of  burden.  They  had  no  idea  of  restraining 
their  animal  appetites,  and  ate  voraciously  when  food 
was  plentiful,  without  any  regard  to  the  future. 

11,  The  early  voyagers  to  the  shores  of  the  island 
described  them  as  lively,  tractable,  and  disposed  to  be 
friendly  with  white  men.  The  good  understanding, 
unhappily,  did  not  last  long.  When  the  settlers  began 
to  spread  over  the  shores  of  the  island  they  seized  on 
the  best  fishing-stations,  and  drove  away  the  Indians. 
Quarrels  arose.  Doubtless  there  were  faults  on  both 
sides.  The  savages,  when  opportunity  offered,  stole  the 
goods  of  the  whites.  To  them  such  objects  as  knives, 
hatchets,  nails,  and  lines,  presented  a  temptation  almost 
irresistible.  The  rude  fishermen  and  trappers  of  those 
days  were  an  immoral,  lawless  order  of  men,  and  punished 
the  thefts  of  the  savages  mercilessly.  These,  again, 
retaliated  fiercely ;  and  thus  a  state  of  savage  warfai:e 
was  established,  and  terrible  deeds  were  done.  The  red 
man  became  the  implacable  foe  of  the  white  man  ;  and  the 
latter  regarded  the  Indians  as  vermin,  to  be  hunted  down 
and  destroyed.  That  the  poor  savages  were  treated  with 
brutal  cruelty  admits  of  no  doubt. 

12.  But  what  could  clubs  and  arrows  avail  against 
fire-arms?  Gradually  the  red  men  were  reduced  in  num- 
bers. They  were  driven  from  their  fishing-posts  on  the 
bays  and  rivers  ;  their  hunting-grounds  were  invaded  by 


Jill 


TUK  RED   INDIANS. 


81 


the  furriers.  ITunpjor  and  disease  thinned  their  ranks. 
Another  tribe  of  Indians,  from  Nova  Scotia,  called  Mic- 
macH,  attacked  tliein,  and  had  the  advantage  of  knowing 
the  use  of  lire-aruis.  Slowly,  but  surely,  the  unhappy 
tribe  wasted  away,  and  at  length  disappeared  from  the 
face  of  the  earth. 

13.  Before  they  were  (piite  exterminated  the  spirit 
of  hunianitv  awoke,  and  zealous  efforts  were  made  to 
save  them  from  destruction.  Proclamations  forbidding 
any  one  to  injure  them,  under  heavy  penalties,  were 
issued  by  the  British  government.  An  expedition  was 
sent  to  the  river  Exploits,  to  o])en  friendly  communica- 


f^'^mm&im 


^f^^^'^ 


WIGWAM     POINT,    RIVEK    EXPLOITS. 


lions  with  them,  but  ended  disastrouslv.  A  female  called 
Mary  March,  from  the  month  in  which  she  was  captured 
by  some  hunters  on  Red  Indian  Lake,  was  brought  to 
St.  John's,  in  1819.  She  was  treated  with  great  kind- 
ness, and  sent  back  to  her  tribe  with  presents,  but  died 
on  the  way.  Another  Indian  woman,  called  in  her 
language  Shanandithet,  was  also  taken  at  a  later  date. 
She  lived  six  years  in  St.  John's,  and  died  of  consump- 
tion. She  declared  she  dared  not  go  back  to  her  tribe 
after  having  held  intercourse   with  the  whites,  as  they 


Tl 


ifli 


32 


QUi:STIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION. 


.i 


■''." 


would  kill  her.  When,  in  1828,  an  exploring  party  was 
sent  by  some  benevolent  persons  to  their  head-quarters 
at  Red  Indian  Lake,  not  a  living  Boeothic  could  be  found. 
Thus  the  efforts  to  atone  for  past  wrongs  and  cruelties 
were  too  late,  and  proved  fruitless. 


m 


i\    ■•■ 


QUESTIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION   ON   CHAPTER  II. 

1.  Who  were  the  inhabitants  of  Newfoundland  at  the  time  of 
its  discovery?  By  what  name  were  they  known?  To  what  family 
of  the  American  Indians  did  they  belong?  How  did  they  Uve? 
What  effect  had  the  arrival  of  Europeans  on  their  destiny?  What 
relics  of  them  are  in  existence? 

2.  Why  were  the  aboriginal  inhabitants  of  America  called 
Indians?  Describe  their  appearance.  Into  what  two  famihes 
have  they  been  divided?     Who  were  Toltecans? 

3.  What  was  the  number  of  the  aborigines  of  America  when 
Columbus  arrived?  What  two  great  families  of  Indians  occupied 
the  Atlantic  coast  of  North  America?  Where  did  each  of  them  live? 

4.  To  Avhich  of  them  did  the  Indians  of  Newfoundland  belong? 
What  proof g  are  given? 

5.  What  did  Cabot  say  of  the  x'nv  s^foundland  Indians?  How 
did  they  w^ear  their  hair?  How  did  they  kindle  fire?  Describe 
their  bows,  arrows,  fish-hooks. 

O.  Describe  their  wigwams.  What  contrivance  had  they  for 
warmth  around  their  fireplaces? 

7.  Describe  their  deer-fences.  How  were  they  made?  What 
was  their  height? 

8.  How  were  their  canoes  made?    How  repair.!? 

9.  Describe  their  snow-shoes.  How  far  could  ,li  .y  ravel  in  a 
day? 

10.  What  was  their  personal  appearance?  How  did  they  make 
their  way  through  a  forest?  What  were  their  virtues  and  vices? 
How  did  they  treat  their  women  ? 

li.  How  did  the  white  settlers  treat  the  Indians?  What  were 
the  causes  of  quarrels?         ^ 

121.  How  were  they  reduced  in  numbers?  What  Indian  tribe 
attacked  them?  .  .        .  .._  .      .  ,. 


i  b. 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


33 


13.  What  efforts  were  mack'  to  save  the  Induiiis  from  destruc- 
tion? Who  were  Mary  March  and  Shanandithet?  When  was  the 
last  effort  made  to  find  them,  and  what  its  result? 


MAP  QUESTIONS. 

Point  out  the  region  of  North  America  occupied  by  Algonquin 
and  Iroquois  Indians.  Wliere  is  Red  Indian  Lake?  What  river 
flows  through  it?  Trace  the  Exploits  from  its  head-waters  to  its 
outlet. 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS.  —  CHAPTER  IL 

The  Religion  of  the  Indians.  —  Little  is  known  of  the  i-e- 
ligious  ideas  and  observances  of  the  red  men  of  Newfoundland.  Like 
the  other  tribes  of  North  America,  they  probably  believed  in  the  exist- 
ence of  a  Supreme  Being,  whom  they  called  the  Great  Spirit ;  and  also 
of  an  inferior  spirit,  whose  nature  m  as  malicious  and  evil.  Their  worship 
was  chiefly  addressed  to  the  evil  spirit  with  a  view  of  propitiating  him. 
They  thought  the  Good  Spirit  needed  no  prayers  to  secure  his  protection 
and  blessing.  Their  religious  observances  consisted  chiefly  of  songs  and 
dances,  with  much  noise  and  excitement.  They  believed  that  all  animals 
had  protecting  spirits,  and  that  the  winds  and  the  stars  had  also  spirits. 
In  Longfellow's  poem  of  "  Hiawatha "  many  of  their  legends  and  re- 
ligious idejis  and  ceremonies  have  been  preserved.  In  some  of  their 
graves  around  Red  Indian  Lake  have  been  found  bows,  arrows,  and  other 
weapons,  and  articles  of  property  which  had  belonged  to  the  deceased 
in  their  lifetime.  This  indicated  that  the  Bethucks  believed  they  would 
live  again  after  death,  and  use  these  weapons  in  the  happy  hunting- 
grounds  of  the  blest  in  heaven.  All  brave  wari'iors  and  good  women 
were  to  be  happy  there  forever,  following  the  same  pursuits  as  on  earth. 

Numbers  of  the  Indians,  — Within  the  limits  of  the  United  States 
there  are  now  about  150,000  Indians,  who  are  cared  for  by  the  govern- 
ment. Only  a  few  of  them  have  adopted  habits  of  civilized  life.  Al- 
together there  are  500,000  Indians,  in  the  United  States.  In  the  older 
provinces  of  C'anada  there  are  30,000  Indians  who  are  in  charge  of  a  de- 
partment of  the  State.  Including  British  Columbia,  the  North-west,  and 
Labrador,  the  Indians  and  Esquimaux  in  the  whole  of  the  Dominion  of 
Canada  number  132,000.  In  both  countries  they  are  diminishing  in  num- 
bers, and  in  fifty  or  a  hundred  years  few  will  probably  remain. 

Haunts  of  the  Indians.  —  They  appear  to  have  inhabited  chiefly 
the  lurth-eastern,  northern,  and  north-western  portions  of  Newfound- 
land. Many  of  their  implements  and  weapons  have  been  dug  up  on  the 
shores  of  Trinity  and  Bonavista  Bays,  at  Fogo  and  'i  willingate,  and  in 
White  Bay.     Their  head-quarters  were  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Red 


r     i ' 


1 1  ■ 


^r^r?^^fr^'niW'^\-y^ii,r^,^'^F^ 


rr:^ 


i;  ,-'f  i 


34 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


\m 


f'i 


i 


'.iiii 


,4 


Indian  Lake.  When  Cormack,  the  tr^eller  who  crossed  Newfoundland 
in  1822,  penetrated  to  Red  Indian  Lake,  in  1828,  he  found  numerous  ruins 
of  their  winter  and  summer  wigwams,  their  storehouses  for  smoking  and 
drying  venison;  also,  a  large  canoe,  twenty-two  feet  in  length.  He 
could  find  no  living  Indian.  In  a  wooden  hut,  well  protected  from  wild 
animals  and  the  weather,  he  found  the  bodies  of  two  gi-own  pei-sons  laid 
out  on  the  floor,  Avrapped  in  deer-skins.  This  was  one  of  their  modes  of 
burial.  In  the  same  place  was  the  body  of  Mary  March,  in  a  white 
coflSn.  When  she  died  her  remains  were  left  in  this  coffin,  at  the  sea- 
side, and  had  been  conveyed  by  the  members  of  her  tribe  to  this  burying- 

place.  With  Cormack's  expedition  the  last  hope  of  finding  any  of  the 
Red  Indians  was  abandoned.    No  trace  of  them  has  been  discovered 

since  his  day. 

Their  Intellectual  Faculties.  —  TheBethucks  did  not  advance 
beyond  the  s(ivage  state.  They  were  not,  however,  infei'ior  to  the 
Canadian  tribes.  The  whole  race  of  American  Indians  were  greatly  in- 
ferior to  Europeans,  and  even  to  Mongolians,  in  mental  powers.  In 
constructive  and  imitative  faculties  they  were  very  low  ;  and  to  this  day, 
though  in  contact  with  white  men,  they  have  made  little  progress. 


r     ll^ 


-'■    -•(•*, 


1497.] 


EXPLORATION  AND  SETTLEMENT. 


35 


CHAPTER  III. 

FROM    14»7    TO    1034. 

EXPLORATION  AND    SETTLEMENT  OF  AMERICA. 

TllK    SPANISH,    FRENCH,   AND    ENGLISH.  — IMPORTANCE    OF 
THE   NEWFOUNDLAND    FISHERIES. 

1.  Now  that  the  New  World  was  discovered,  and 
some  idea  obtained  of  its  vast  extent,  the  question 
arose,  who  were  to  explore  it  and  take  possession  of  it? 
The  most  wonderful  tales  were  told  about  it.  Sailors, 
and  other  adventurers  who  had  been  there,  related  stories 
about  rivers  which  flowed  over  pebbles  of  gold,  and 
sands  sparkling  with  precious  gems  ;  of  vast  forests,  and 
lovely  flowers,  in  lands  teeming  with  fertility.  Here  was 
a  boundless  field  for  human  energy.  The  wildest  hopes 
of  obtaining  vast  wealth  were  kindled ;  and  all  the 
adventurous  spirits  of  P^urope  were  eager  to  undertake 
voyages  to  the  new  land.  The  Spaniards,  who  were  the 
first  discoverers,  rushed  away  in  such  multitudes  upon 
these  expeditions  that  some  large  towns  in  Spain  lost 
half  their  inhabitants.  Portugal  and  France  followed 
in  the  same  track,  and  England  was  not  far  behind. 
Immediate  gain  was  the  obiect  of  every  one.  Gold  was 
the  grand  attraction. 

2.  All  the  great  nations  of  Europe  thought  they  had 
a  right  to  seize  and  hold  whatever  portion  of  the  new 
continent  they  had  discovered  or  explored.  But  at  first 
they  had  no  great  desire  to  stay  there  and  keep  posses- 
sion.    They  wanted  to  i)lunder,  or  find*  gold  and  silver 

•   to  enrich  themselves,  then  to  return  to  their  own  countrv 


36 


EXPLORATION  AND  SETTLfJMENT. 


[1497. 


'  •!  'i  11'' 


f  ii  m 


::,  ii  M 


i; 


:!i! 
l!i: 


"I 


'  ''I 

i  .1  ..''1 


■((■       l! 


If 


and  enjoy  their  wealth.  Only  a  few  thought  of  trading 
with  these  new  countries  They  did  not  wish  to  settle  and 
make  homes  for  themselves  across  the  Atlantic.  Nearly 
a  hundred  years  elapsed,  after  Columbus's  discover}', 
before  the  great  idea  of  colonizing  America  took  firm 
hold  of  the  European  mind. 

3.  The  Spaniards  early  obtained  possession  of  the 
West  India  Islands.  The  conquest  of  Mexico  by 
Cortes,  in  1521,  and  of  Peru  by  Pizarro,  speedily  fol- 
lowed. The  immense  plunder  obtained  in  these  coun- 
tries failed  to  satiate  their  thirst  for  gold,  and  the 
Spaniards  began  to  look  towards  North  America. 
There  was  at  that  time  an  aged  Spanish  warrior,  named 
Ponce  de  Leon,  who,  in  his  youth,  had  distinguished 
himself  in  fighting  against  the  Moors  in  Spain.  He 
had  been  a  companion  of  Columbus,  on  his  second 
voyage,  and  was  afterwards  appointed  Governor  of  Porto 
Rico  ;  but,  being  displaced,  he  returned  to  Spain.  Among 
the  strange  tales  which  were  told  in  these  credulous 
times  was  one  about  a  "  Fountain  of  Youth,"  which  was 
said  to  exist  in  this  new  land.  It  was  believed  to  have 
the  power  of  restoring  youth,  with  all  its  powers,  to  the 
harroy  man  who  bathed  in  its  ever-flowing  waters.  He 
who  was  fortunate  enough  to  find  it  obtained  the  secret 
of  perpetual  youth.  Ponce  de  Leon  was  an  old  man, 
and  he  resolved  to  find  this  wonderful  fountain.  He 
wanted  also  to  renew  his  fortune,  as  well  as  his  3'outh, 
by  the  riches  he  hoped  to  find.  And  so,  in  1512,  he 
sailed  westward  from  Porto  Rico ;  and  on  Easter  Sun- 
day, which  tlie  Spaniards  called  Pascua  Florida,  or 
Flowery  Easter,  he  came  in  sight  of  a  new  land,  to  which 
he  gave  the  name  of  Florida.  The  country  was  then 
beautiful  with  the  opening  blossoms  of  spring,  so  that  the 
name  seemed  appropriate  in  a  double  sense.     Ponce  de 


m 


1534.] 


EXPLORATION  AND  SETTLEMENT. 


37 


Leon  did  not  find  in  the  flowerv  land  the  "  Fountain  of 
Youth,"  but  something  very  different,  when,  on  a  sec- 
ond visit,  five  years  later,  lie  received  his  death-wound 
fiom  an  Indian  arrow.  But  he  found  for  Spain  a  new 
province,  and  a  new  channel  for  commerce  through  the 
Gulf  of  Florida.  Fifty  years  afterwards,  near  the  spot 
where  he  first  landed,  the  town  of  St.  Augustine  was 
founded,  and  it  is  the  oldest  in  the  United  States. 

4.  Great  results  followed  this  search  for  the  "  Foun- 
tain of  Youth."  Fabulous  stories  were  told  about 
Florida,  and  it  was  reporter  to  be  the  richest  country  in 


tlie   world,    abounding    in    gold   and 


(jenis. 


Another 


Spanish  noble,  named  De  Soto,  heard  and  believed  these 
tales,  and  determined  to  possess  himself  of  the  riches  of 
Florida.  He  organized  an  expedition  composed  of  600 
men,  splendidly  armed  and  e(iuipped,  among  whom  were 
the  very  flower  of  Spanish  youth,  full  of  hope  and  cour- 
age, and  eager  for  discovering  new  lands  and  plundering 
their  inhabitants.  He  landed  on  Florida  in  1539,  and, 
with  his  men,  began  the  march  northward  into  the 
interior.  The  Indians  were  hostile  and  fought  against 
the  invaders.  No  gold  was  found  ;  scarcely  could  food 
be  obtained.  Terrible  hardships  were  endured.  No 
rich  cities,  like  those  in  Mexico  and  Peru,  were  found, 
but  only  poor  villages  of  savage  tribes.  Sickness 
thinned  their  ranks.  At  length  De  Soto,  to  his  astonish- 
ment, arrived  at  the  banks  of  a  magnificent  river,  a  mile 
in  width,  having  a  current  of  great  strength.  In  the 
Old  World  there  was  nothing  to  be  compared  to  this 
majestic  stream.  It  was  the  Mississippi,  the  "  Father 
of  Waters,"  now  first  seen  by  Europeans.  The  Span- 
iards managed  to  cross  it,  and  for  many  months  wan- 
dered among  the  dreary  swamps  and  gloomy  forests  of 
this  region.     At  length,  broken  in  health  and  spirit.  Do 


38 


EXPLORATION  AND  SETTLEMENT. 


[1497- 


Soto  died.  His  men  formed  a  rude  coffin  out  of  the 
trunk  of  a  pine  tree,  and,  in  tlie  darkness  of  the  night, 
sunk  his  body  in  the  middle  of  the  river,  that  his  death 
should  not  be  known  to  the  Indians,  who  niiglit  treat  his 
remains  with  indignity.  He  rested  beneath  the  wate's  of 
the  river  he  had  discovered.  His  men  constructed  some 
rude  vessels,  and  floated  down  the  Mississippi  to  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico.  Only  300  managed  to  escape,  and 
they  reached  Cuba  in  a  wretched  plight. 

6.  Important  consequences  were  to  follow  from  these 
disastrous  failures  of  the  first  explorers.  On  the  strength 
of  this  discovery  of  Florida,  Spain,  at  one  time,  claimed 
as  her  own  the  whole  coast  of  North  America  as  far  as, 
and  including,  Newfoundland ;  and  even  to  the  extreme 
north  of  the  continent.  The  name  North  America  was 
not  then  heard  of,  and  Spain  called  the  whole  Florida, 
and  claimed  it  as  part  of  her  vast  dominions.  Yet  she 
had  not  occupied  a  harbour,  or  marked  out  a  settlement, 
or  built  a  fortification,  on  the  whole  coast,  and  had 
acquired  no  right  by  discovery,  excepting  over  Florida. 

6.  These  vast  claims,  on  the  part  of  Spain,  were  not 
at  first  disputed  by  any  other  power.  France,  however, 
was  now  about  to  enter  the  field,  and  to  contend  for  her 
share  of  the  New  World.  Gradually,  as  events  dis- 
closed themselves,  and  discoveries  extended,  a  grand 
scheme  was  formed,  in  the  minds  of  French  monarchs 
and  statesmen,  of  creating  a  "  New  France,"  with  feudal 
institutions,  in  the  western  hemisphere.  This  plan  was 
pursued  by  the  French  with  determined  energy  for  two 
centuries  and  a  half.  It  was  in  carrying  this  scheme 
of  empire  into  execution  that  they  were  brought  to  New- 
foundland, and  tried  so  often  to  conquer  and  annex  '' . 
Indeed,  at  one  time,  it  seemed  as  if  France  was  to  be 
the  ruling  power  in  North  America. 


1534.] 


EXPLORATION  AND  SETTLEMENT. 


39 


7.  Tlie  atteutiou  of  France  was  first  drawn  to  North 
America  by  tlie  discovery  of  tlie  flslieries  of  Newfound- 
land. The  same  holds  good  regarding  England.  The 
attraction  which  llrst  led  Englishmen  to  these  western 
seas,  and  awoke  in  the  national  mind  an  impulse  to  colo- 
nize these  new  countries,  was  the  immense  fish  wealth 
in  the  seas  around  the  island  discovered  by  Cabot. 
Here,  they  saw,  was  an  inexhaustible  supply  of  the  finest 
food,  ai,  a  time  when  fish,  salted  and  fresh,  entered  very 
hugely  into  the  diet  of  the  people.  France  and  England 
early  engaged  iu  the  prosecution  of  the  cod-fisheries  on 
the  Banks  and  around  the  shores  of  Newfoundland. 
Both  nations  drew  enormous  wealth,  year  after  year, 
from  these  industries,  and  thus  increased  their  national 
greatness.  The  English  and  French  fishermen  engaged 
in  these  fisheries  supplied  the  navy  and  mercantile 
marine  of  both  nations  with  bold  and  skilful  sailors, 
and  thus  developed  their  power  at  sea.  Both  nations 
found  here  the  best  nurseries  for  seamen.  Both  were 
thus  drawn  to  the  region  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  were 
led  to  plant  colonies,  originally  with  a  view  to  carry  on 
the  fisheries.  The  rivalry  between  the  two  powers  for 
obtaining  the  sovereignty  of  the  soil  arose  in  connection 
with  the  fisheries.  The  long  wars  between  France  and 
England  were  avowedly  for  the  fisheries  and  the  terri- 
tories around  them.  Thus  the  fisheries  of  Newfoundland 
really  laid  the  foundation  of  the  empire  which  England 
at  length  acquired  in  America,  when  her  supremacy  was 
established,  after  a  long  contest  with  France.  These 
fisheries  were  far  more  influential  in  bringing  about  the 
settlement  of  North  America  than  all  the  gold  of  Mexico 
and  Peru  accomplished  in  Southern  America. 

8.  The  humble,  industrious  fishermen,  who  plied  their 
hard  labours  along  the  shores  and  on  the  Banks  of  New- 


I 


.ill 


4 

' ':  1 


fil 


im 


3   ' 


u 


Hi 

m 


m. 


ii'ili 


M 
.  m 


40 


QUESTIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION. 


foundland,    aud    in  .eighbouring   seas,    were    the 

pioneers  of  the  gr  .  ot  from  the  Old  World  who,  in 

due  time,  built  u  i  United  States  and  overspread 
Canada.  They  have  done  an  honourable  stroke  of  work 
in  the  great  business  of  the  world.  England  owes 
much  to  them.  Till  these  fisheries  drew  her  seamen 
from  their  narrow  seas,  and  tauglit  them  to  brave  the 
storms  of  the  Atlantic,  her  merchant  marine  was  of 
small  account,  and  her  navy  had  scarcely  an  existence. 
In  prosecuting  these  fisheries  England  learned  how  to 
become  mistress  of  the  seas.  It  was  in  Newfoundland, 
too,  that  the  great  mother  of  colonies  made  her  first 
attempt  at  colonization.  Here  her  flag  first  waved  over 
her  possessions  in  the  western  hemisphere.  Newfound- 
land is  her  oldest  colony. 


QUESTIONS   FOR  EXAMINATION   ON   CHAPTER  III. 

1.  What  wild  tales  were  told  about  the  New  World?  What 
effect  had  these  stories?     What  nations  engaged  in  exploring  it? 

2.  What  was  supposed  to  give  a  right  of  possession?  What 
was  the  chief  object  of  adventurers? 

3.  Who  were  Cortes  and  Pizarro?  Who  was  Ponce  de  Leon? 
What  did  he  go  in  search  of?  Why  was  Florida  so  called?  What 
was  the  fate  of  Ponce  de  Leon? 

4.  Who  was  De  Soto?  Why  did  he  visit  Florida?  How  many 
men  had  h«^?  Describe  his  march.  What  great  river  did  he  dis- 
cover?    Where  was  he  buried? 

6.  Why  did  Spain  claim  all  North  America?  Why  were  her 
claims  unjust? 

6.  What  scheme  of  empire  did  the  French  form? 

7.  What  first  drew  the  attention  of  the  French  and  English  to 
North  America?  Why  were  the  fisheries  so  valuable  to  both  na- 
tions? How  did  their  navies  and  commerce  profit  by  the  New- 
foundland fisheries?  Why  did  the  two  nations  go  to  war?  How 
did  English  settlements  begin? 

8.  Who  were  the  pioneers  in  settling  North  America?  Show 
the  importance  of  these  fisheries  to  England. 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


41 


MAP  QUESTIONS. 

Where  are  Mexico,  Peru,  Porto  Rico,  Florida?  Trace  the 
course  of  the  Mississippi.  Point  out  its  principal  tributaries. 
Where  are  the  Banks  of  Newfoundland? 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS.  —  CHAPTER  III. 

Cortes.  —  Hernan  Cortes  was  born  i^  1485,  at  a  village  of  Estrema- 
dura  in' Spain.  He  distinguished  himself  in  the  conquest  of  Cuba,  and 
was  selected  to  undertake  the  conquest  of  Mexico.  He  sailed  in  1518, 
witli  10  vessels,  600  infantry,  and  18  horsemen.  After  three  years  of 
desperate  fighting  and  a  terrible  slaughter  of  the  Mexicans  he  seized 
their  emperor,  Montezuma,  took  their  capital,  obtained  immense  (juanti- 
ties  of  gold,  and  completely  conquered  the  kingdom.  He  returned  to 
Spain,  and  died  at  Seville,  in  1547. 

Pizarro.  —  Francisco  Pizarro,  conqueror  of  Peru,  was  born  in  Estre- 
madura,  in  1476.  He  was  with  Balboa  when  he  discovered  the  Pacific 
Ocean.  In  his  various  expeditions  and  voyages  about  Panama  he  discov" 
ered  the  vast  and  prosperous  Peruvian  empire,  abounding  in  gold,  silver, 
and  precious  stones.  In  1529  he  obtained  from  Charles  V.,  of  Spain, 
authority  to  conquer  Peru.  In  1531  he  set  out  with  3  vessels,  180  men, 
and  27  horsemen.  He  was  guilty  of  the  direst  cruelties  and  treacheries ; 
l)ut  with  a  handful  of  men  he  defeated  the  hosts  of  Peruvians,  took  their 
capital,  and  executed  their  emperor.  He  lived  at  Lima  almost  like  a 
king,  but  died  by  the  hands  of  an  assassin  in  1541. 

Florida.  —  Though  Ponce  de  Leon  gave  Florida  its  name,  Sebastian 
Cabot  was  its  first  discoverer,  on  his  second  voyage.  It  is  now  one  of 
the  United  States,  with  a  population  of  200,000.  It  produces  cotton, 
sugar,  oranges,  rice,  tobacco.  Owing  to  its  fine  climate  it  is  now  a 
resort  of  invalids.  In  1763  Spain  ceded  Florida  to  England  in  exchange 
for  Havana.  It  was  reconquered  by  the  Spaniards  in  1781.  In  1821  it 
was  ceded  by  Spain  to  the  United  States. 

The  Mississippi.  —  One  of  the  largest  rivers  on  the  globe.  From 
Little  Winnipeg  Lake,  its  principal  source,  to  its  termination  in  the 
(iulf  of  Mexico,  it  is  8,200  miles  in  length.  It  drains  an  area  of  1,240,000 
square  miles,  or  nearly  one-seventh  of  North  America.  The  valley 
through  which  it  flows  is  called  "the  garden  of  the  world,"  from  its 
fertility.  It  receives  the  Missouri,  Ohio,  Illinois,  Wisconsin  rivers,  and 
many  others,  and  rolls  its  vast  volume  through  eighteen  degrees  of  lati- 
tude. Its  discharge  of  water  at  its  mouth  is  at  the  rate  of  675,000  cubic 
feet  per  second. 


42 


ENGLAND   TAKES  POSSESSION. 


[1534- 


li 


'1 


I!!  iiii:' 


»,l.-'.i'"i 

i 


i 


jiiPi 


li  m 


n. 


I" 


Ul' 


CHAPTER  lY. 

FRO]>I  lff:i4    TO  1583. 

ENGLAND  TAKES  POSSESSION  OP  NEWFOUNDLAND. 

BRETON  AND  BASQUE  FISHERMEN.  —  PROGRESS  OF  THE 
FRENCH  IN  CANADA.  —  ARRIVAL  OF  SIR  HUMPHREY 
GILBERT. 

1,  Soon  after  Cabot  spread  the  news  of  the  abun- 
dance of  fisli  of  the  finest  quality,  and  in  great  variety, 
in  Newfoundland  waters,  the  French  fishermen  of  Brit- 
tany and  Normandy  were  engaged  there  in  taking  cod. 
They  were  the  first  to  profit  by  this  new  discovery  of 
Englishmen.  These  bold  mariners  ventured  out  into 
these  stormy  seas  in  their  little  cockle-shells  of  vessels, 
such  as  no  one  would  now  dream  of  using  in  crossing 
the  Atlantic.  They  reached  the  Island  of  Cape  Breton, 
and  gave  it  the  name  it  now  bears,  after  their  home  in 
Bretagne,  or  Brittany.  Seven  years  after  Cabot's  dis- 
covery, in  1504,  these  hardy  fishermen  were  here,  carry- 
ing on  a  profitable  industry.  They  were  soon  followed 
by  the  fishermen  of  the  Basque  provinces,  in  the  north- 
west of  Spain,  who  were  scarcely  less  daring  at  sea. 
They  have  left  a  memorial  of  their  visits  in  the  name  of 
Port-aux-Basques,  a  fine  harbour  near  Cape  Ray,  on  the 
southern  shore  of  Newfoundland.  The  Portuguese  fish- 
ermen speedily  took  part  in  the  same  fisheries.  A 
Portuguese  navigator,  named  Gaspard  Cortereal,  had,  in 
1500,  visited  Newfoundland,  and  discovered  and  named 
Conception  Bay  and  Portugal  Cove,  on  its  southern 
shore.     The   number  of  vessels  and   men   engaged  in 


1583.] 


ENGLAND  TAKES  POSSESSION. 


48 


these  fisheries  rapidly  increased.  In  1517  40  sail  of 
Portuguese,  French,  and  Spaniards  were  thus  employed. 
In  1527  John  Rut,  an  English  captain,  visited  St.  John's, 
and  \Yrote  a  letter,  when  there,  to  Henry  VIII.,  in  which 
he  said  he  found  in  the  harbour  11  sail  of  Normans,  1 
Breton,  and  2  Portuguese  barques,  but  no  English  fish- 
ing-vessels. So  late  as  1578  there  were  400  fishing- 
vessels  employed,  of  which  150  were  French,  and  only 
50  were  English,  —  so  slow  were  they  in  following  the 
lead  of  the  other  nations.  England  had  not  yet  dis- 
covered the  immense  value  of  these  fisheries,  though 
increasing  numbers  of  her  fishermen  were  taking  a  part 
in  them.  Other  nations  were  freelv  using  the  shores  and 
harbours  of  the  island  discovered  by  Cabot ;  but  a^  yet 
Englishmen  made  small  account  of  it  and  its  fisheries. 

2.  Meantime  the  wealth  which  France  was  deriving 
from  these  seas  J°d  her  to  form  new  and  extensive  de- 
signs of  colonizing  North  America.  Her  claims  to  the 
possession  of  the  northern  part  of  the  continent  rested 
on  the  discoveries  of  John  Verazzani  (pronounced  Yer- 
rat-tsah'-ne) ,  a  Florentine,  who  was  employed  by  Francis 
I.,  King  of  France,  to  explore  the  new  region.  In 
1524  he  sailed  from  France,  reached  the  coast  of  North 
Carolina,  and  then  examined  the  whole  coast  to  the 
northward.  Passing  the  shores  of  what  are  now  Vir- 
ginia and  Maryland,  he  entered  the  harbour  of  New 
York,  which  he  found  crowded  with  Indian  canoes. 
Pursuing  his  voyage  he  coasted  along  Maine  and  Nova 
Scotia,  and  examined  many  miles  of  the  shores  of  New- 
foundland. He  then  returned  to  France,  and  wrote  an 
account  of  his  discoveries.  ,    .,..    .         ^ 

3.  The  career  of  discovery,  thus  opened,  was  eagerly 
pursued  by  France.  Ten  years  later,  in  1534,  Jacques 
Cartier  (Zhak  Kar-te-ay),  the  famous  Breton  mariner 


■PiiN 


44 


ENGLAND   TAKES  POSSESSION. 


[1534< 


'i!f'!|'l 


Jiililt 


m 


W:. 


hi 


IjiK.'l  'Ir''! 


;i>     ■■■'.! 


J'      "■    ; 

1 
1 

m!"  ■:: 

i. 

if 

of  St.  Malo,  sailed  from  tliat  port  with  a  commission 
from  tlie  French  king.  His  voyage  proved  to  be  a  mo- 
mentous one   in  its  consequences.     He  passed  through 

the  Straits  of  Belle 
Isle,  entered  the  Bay 
of  Chaleur,  unfurled 
the  French  flag  at 
Gasp6,  discovered  tiie 
River  St.  Lawrence, 
and  on  his  second 
voyage  ascended  it  as 
far  as  Montreal,  and 
built  a  fort  at  Quebec. 
Thus  Cartier  was  the 
discoverer  of  Canada, 
.  and  secured  it  for 
France.  To  a  French- 
man belongs  the  hon- 
our of  this  great  dis- 
covery ;  for  the  Eng- 
lish never  ascended  the  St.  Lawrence  in  anj^  of  their 
early  voyages.  The  hold  thus  obtained  by  France 
was  not  relinquished  for  two  hundred  and  t^  *^nty-six 
years,  when  Quebec  fell  before  the  conquering  arms  of 
Wolfe. 

4.  Other  adventurers  followed  in  the  track  of  Cartier. 
Roberval's  expedition  ended  in  disaster.  De  la  Roche, 
fifty  years  after,  was  equally  unfortunate.  But  the 
brave  and  high-minded  Champlain  and  De  Monts  carried 
on  the  work  of  exploration,  colonization,  and  the  exten- 
sion of  French  commerce,  and  thus  laid  the  foundations 
of  French  empire  in  the  West.  All  Canada  and  Acadia 
(the  name  given  by  the  French  to  Nova  Scotia  and  New 
Brunswick)   was  held  by  France.     Newfoundland,  with 


JACQUES    CAnTIEIl. 


1583.] 


ENGLAND   TAKE^  POSSESSION. 


4fi 


its  fisheries,  seemed  likely  to  share  the  same  fate.  Mar- 
quette,  a  Jesuit  Father,  starting  from  the  great  lakcj  of 
Canada,  followed  the  river  Wisconsin  till  he  reached  the 
Mississippi,  and  nailed  down  the  river  for  some  distance. 
It  was  a  deed  of  true  heroism.  La  Salle,  a  French 
cavalier,  followed  courageously  in  the  same  course,  and 
sailed  down  the  Mississippi  to  its  outlet  in  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico,  —  a  memorable  achievement.  France  then 
claimed  all  the  vast  territory  through  which  the  great 
liver  flowed  ;  and  La  Salle  named  it  Louisiana,  in  honour 
of  Louis  XIV.  •       • 

5.  Thus  it  looked  as  if  there  were  to  be  no  English 
settlements  in  North  America.  All  the  southern  ])ortion 
was  called  Florida,  and  belonged  to  Spain ;  and  "  New 
France "  seemed  destined  to  absorb  all  the  rest.  And 
yet  the  day  was  coming  when  neither  France  nor  Spain 
would  own  a  foot  of  land  in  the  whole  continent  of 
America,  north  and  south  ;  and  when,  of  all  the  vast  pos- 
sessions of  F'rance  in  the  New  World,  her  flag  would 
wave  over  but  two  small  islands,  St.  Pierre  and  Miquelon, 
lit  the  mouth  of  Fortune  Bay,  Newfoundland. 

6.  AH  this  time  the  English  had  never  forgotten  that 
Cabot  and  his  stout  west-country  sailors  had  first  dis- 
covered Newfoundland  and  the  mainland  of  North  Amer- 
ica, which  were  theirs  b^  right  of  discovery.  And 
now,  at  length,  the  hour  arrived  for  enforcing  their  rights, 
and  claimirg  their  share  in  the  western  world.  The 
great  movement  was  begun  by  taking  formal  possession 
of  Newfoundland,  and  making  a  first,  though  unsuc- 
cessful, attempt  to  plant  a  colony  there.  This  is  the  way 
iu  which  it  came  about. 

7.  There  was  living  in  England,  in  the  reign  of  Queen 
Elizabeth,  a  brave,  patriotic  nobleman,  named  Sir  Hum- 
phrey Gilbert.     His  residence  was  Comptou  Castle,  near 


iii 


Hl!ijli!l|| 


m 

'!!«<! 


ii 


i:;i:^!:l 


hm 


,.■'■'-! 

1 

I  '^^ 

( 

t 

i 

; 

1': 

V  1 

i 

40 


ENGLAND   TAKES  POSSESSION. 


[1534- 


Torbay.  in  Devonshiie.  He  had  a  iialf-hrother,  also  a 
knight,  called  Sir  Walter  Raieigh,  whose  name  is  famous 
in  English  history.     Sir  Humphrey  Gilbert  had  won  high 

distinction  as 
a  soldier  in 
<his  youth. 
In  his  mature 
manhood  he 
gave  much 
attention  to 
navigation, 
geography, 
and  the  great 
discoveries 
which  were 
then  going 
on  in  the 
western  hem- 
isphere. He 
wrote  a  book, 
in  which  he 
tried  to  prove 
that  it  was 
possible  to  find  a  north-west  passage  to  Eaplern  Asia. 
He  had  formed  a  very  high  opinion  of  the  value  of  the 
Newfoundland  fisheries.  Many  of  the  Devonshire  fish- 
ermen were  already  engaged  in  these  fisheries  ;  and  from 
some  of  the  captains  Sir  Humphrey,  no  doubt,  obtained 
his  information.  He  considered  that  the  right  way  to 
carry  on  these  fisheries  was  by  settling  English  people 
on  the  island,  who  could  both  fish  and  cultivate  the  soil, 
and  make  a  home  for  themselves  as  well.  Besides,  he 
thought  it  a  shame  that  his  countrymen  should  be  content 
to  look  on  with  indifference,  while  the  French  and  Span- 


SIR    Ul'MPHKEY    GILBKKT. 


\/w 


1583.] 


ENGLAND   TAKES  POSSESS  ION. 


47 


iards  were  dividing  among  themselves  the  soil  and  nr'»es 
of  the  New  World.  lie  knew  that  England  had  acquired 
rights  by  discovery  ;  and  he  believed  tiiat  it  was  her 
duty  to  do  her  part  in  exploring  and  settling  these  new 
countries,  and  thus  open  a  field  for  the  enterprise  of  her 
people. 

8.  His  half-broth- 
er, Sir  Walter  Ral- 
eigh, held  the  same 
views ;  and  together 
they  laid  the  matter 
])efore  Queen  Eliza- 
beth. She  at  once 
gave  Sir  Humphrey 
letters-patent  au- 
thorizing him  to  take 
possession  of  New- 
foundland on  her  be- 
half, to  colonize  it. 
and  to  exercise  juiis- 
diction  over  it  and 
all  the  neighbouring 
lands  within  two  hun- 
dred leagues  in  every  direction. 

9.  An  expedition  was  organized,  consisting  of  five 
vessels.  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  embarked  in  one  of  these  ; 
but  an  infectious  disease  broke  out  on  board,  and  com- 
pelled him  to  return  to  port.  Gilbert,  with  the  other 
four  vessels,  reached  the  harbour  of  St.  John's,  early 
in  August,  1583.  The  largest  of  these  vessels,  the 
"  Deliglit,"  was  only  of  120  tons  ;  the  "  Golden  Hind," 
of  50  tons  ;  the  "  Swtdlow,"  of  50  tons  ;  and  the  "  Squir- 
rel, of  10  tons.  The  number  of  adventurers  on  board 
was  260,  most  of  them  Devonshire  men. 


sin    WALTBK    l<AL£iaU. 


.rt"» 


48 


ENGLAND  TAKES  POSSESSION. 


1 


[1534- 


m 


I-j      !li 


if'H 


11 


ill: 
m 


(1.  ; ,  < 

j{^i..;hi;-.!  1 

I-  ■ 
■     t 

ii 

i|t::';.  i 

10.  At  ihat  time  there  were  lying  in  the  harbour  of  8t. 
John's  thirty-six  vessels,  of  which  nearly  half  were  Eng- 
lish ;  the  rest  were  Portuguese,  French,  and  Spanish,  all 
engaged  m  fishing.  On  the  5th  of  August,  1583,  Sir 
Humphrey,  his  officers  and  men,  all  landed.  The  captains 
and  crews  of  the  fishing-vessels  were  summoned  to 
attend.  In  the  midst  of  the  motley  assemblage  the 
English  knight  stood  up  and  read  the  patent  authorizing 
him  to  take  possession  of  the  island  on  behalf  of  his 
royal  mistress.  After  the  custom  of  the  times,  twig 
and  sod  from  the  island  were  presented  to  him,  and  he 
solemnly  declared  Newfoundland  a  portion  of  the  British 
empire.  The  banner  of  England  was  hoisted  on  a  flag- 
staff ;  the  royal  arms,  cut  in  lead,  were  affixed  to  a 
wooden  pillar,  near  the  water's  edge ;  and  with  some 
rounds  of  hearty  British  cheers  the  ceremonial  of  the 
day  was  brought  to  a  close. 

11.  Very  soon,  however,  troubles  arose.  Many  of 
the  men  on  board  Sir  Humphrey's  little  fleet  were  not 
of  the  right  stamp  for  colonists,  and  they  became  dis- 
contented and  troublesome.  Sickness  broke  out,  and 
Gilbert  sent  the  sick  home  in  the  "Swallow."  With 
the  remaining  three  vessels  he  set  out,  on  the  20th  August, 
to  pros'.jute  further  explorations.  He  got  as  far  as 
Cape  Race,  where  his  largest  vessel,  the  "  Delight," 
struck  on  a  shoal  and  went  to  pieces.  The  brave 
captain,  Morris  Browne,  refused  to  leave  his  ship,  and 
perished  with  the  greater  part  of  those  on  board.  Only 
15  escaped  in  a  boat,  and  reached  land  after  terrible  suf- 
ferings. Sir  Humphrey  had  been  on  board  the  little 
"  Squirrel,"  surveying  the  different  harbours.  Dis- 
heartened by  the  loss  of  his  largest  vessel,  on  board  of 
which  were  most  of  the  stores,  he  deemed  it  wise  to 
return  to  England,  especially  as  winter  was  at  hand. 


iiiifi!:;:: 


ClMMll 


U-r.^  un 


1583.] 


ENGLAND   TAKES  POSSESSION. 


49 


13,  His  men  pressed  him  to  go  on  board  the  "  Golden 
Hind,"  the  larger  vessel ;  but  the  gallant  knight  said 
"  he  would  not  abandon  his  brave  comrades  whose 
perils  he  had  shared,"  and  he  remained  on  board  the 
little  nutshell  of  a  vessel,  where  his  flag  was  flying.  A 
terrible  storm  overtook  them  near  the  Azores.  The 
"Golden  Hind"  kept  as  near  the  little  "Squirrel"  as 
possible,  for  every  moment  it  seemed  as  if  she  would  be 
swallowed  up.  In  the  midst  of  the  tempest  the  crew  of 
the  larger  ship  saw  the  brave  knight,  who  was  a  stranger 
to  fear,  sitting  calmly  on  the  deck,  with  a  book  before 
him,  and  heard  him  cry  to  his  companions,  "  Cheer  up, 
lads  !  We  are  as  near  heaven  on  sea  as  on  land."  The 
darkness  of  night  closed  in.  Suddenly,  about  midnight, 
the  lights  of  the  "  Squirrel"  disappeared,  and  Sir  Hum- 
phrey Gilbert  and  his  men  sank  amid  the  dark  billows  of 
the  Atlantic. 

13.  Thus  perished  one  of  the  noblest  and  bravest  of 
those  who,  in  that  age,  sought  to  extend  the  dominion  of 
England  in  the  New  World.  The  "Golden  Hind"  reached 
Falmouth  a  mere  wreck.  The  first  attempt  to  colonize 
Newfoundland  ended  thus  disastrously,  as,  indeed,  did 
most  of  the  first  efforts  at  planting  colonies  in  the 
western  hemisphere.  The  loss  to  Newfoundland  of  Sir 
Flumphrey  Gilbert  was  great  and  irreparable.  Had  he 
lived,  and  succeeded  in  planting  a  colony,  then  the  cul- 
tivation of  the  soil  would  have  gone  on,  hand  in  hand 
with  the  fisheries,  and  the  wealth  derived  from  the  fish- 
eries would  have  remained  in  the  country  for  its  improve- 
ment. A  prosperous  resident  population  would  thus 
have  grown  up.  Instead  of  this,  Gilbert's  plans  were 
set  aside.  The  fisheries  were  carried  on  from  England, 
and  laws  were  enacted  forbidding  the  fishermen  to  settle 
in  the  island,  as  we  shall  see  farther  on  in  this  history, 


.  j 


fiiifi 


■4 


50 


QUA'STIONS  FOE  EXAMINATION. 


and  compelling  them  to  return  home  each  year  as  winter 
approached.  For  the  benetit  of  ti  few  greedy,  selfish  men 
the  island  was  kept,  for  a  long  time,  a  mere  fishing-sta- 
tion, and  all  the  money  made  by  fishing  wat  spent  in 
other  lands,  and  the  country  left  in  a  wilderness  condition. 


^■:'l 


m  1 
W 

m 

i 

§^ 

mi 


ill'!!'! 


; 


r     t 


II  V 


Mr- 


QUESTIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION  ON  CHAPTER  IV. 

1.  Who  were  the  first  to  engage  in  the  Newfoundland  fish- 
eries? Atwliattime?  What  place  in  Newfoundland  was  named 
by  the  Basques?  Who  discovered  Conception  Bay,  and  when? 
What  number  of  vessels  were  employed  in  the  fisheries  in  1517, 
1527,  and  1578?     How  many  were  English? 

2.  Describe  the  voyage  of  Verazzani.  When  did  he  sail? 
What  did  France  claim  from  his  discoveries? 

3.  Who  was  Cartier?  What  discoveries  did  he  make?  What 
result  followed  to  France? 

4.  Name  other  French  explorers  who  followed  Cartier.  What 
did  Acadia  include?  Who  discovered  the  sources  of  the  Missis- 
sippi? Who  first  sailed  down  its  entire  length?  What  claim  did 
France  make  in  consequence?     Why  was  Louisiana  so  named? 

6.  Has  Spain  or  France  any  possessions  in  the  continent  of 
America  now? 

O.   On  what  did  England's  title  to  a  portion  of  North  America  rest? 

7.  Who  was  Sir  Humphrey  Gilbert?  Who  was  his  half  brother  ? 
What  was  his  character?  What  opinion  did  he  form  of  the  New- 
foundland fisheries  and  the  best  way  of  carrying  them  on? 

8.  Who  gave  him  letters-patent?  What  jurisdiction  did  these 
give  him? 

9.  Why  did  Raleigh  not  accompany  Gilbert?  What  ships  had 
Gilbert,  and  what  tonnage  were  they?     How  many  men? 

10.  What  did  lie  find  in  St.  John's  harbour?  Give  the  date 
of  his  landing.     How  did  he  take  possession  of  the  island? 

11.  What  ship  did  he  send  homo?  Describe  the  wreck  of  the 
«*  Delight."    Why  did  Gilbert  return  to  England? 

12.  Why  did  Gilbert  refuse  to  leave  the  «'  Squirrel"  ?  De- 
scribe the  loss  of  this  vessel.     What  were  Gilbert's  last  words? 

13.  What  vessel  reached  England?  How  was  Sir  Humphrey 
Gilbert's  death  such  a  loss  to  Newfoundland? 


fv 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


51 


MAP   QUESTIONS. 

Where  is  Brittany?  Normandy?  The  Basque  provinces? 
Point  out  Port-aux-Basques.  Where  is  St.  Malo?  Gasper* 
Quebec?  Montreal?  Trace  La  Salle's  voyage  on  the  Missis- 
sippi. Where  is  Devonshire?  Torbay?  St.  John's,  New- 
foundland?    Cape  Race?    The  Azores?    JFalmouth? 


NOTES  AXD  EXPLANATIONS.  — CHAPTER  IV. 


>hrey 


Consumption  of  Fish.  —  The  consumption  of  fresh  and  salted 
fish  in  Europe  before  the  discovery  of  America,  and  for  a  long  period 
afterwards,  was  immense.  It  must  be  remembered  that  all  Europe, 
England  included,  was  then  Catholic  ;  and  during  tiie  fasts  of  the  Church 
the  pickled  heri'ing  of  Holland  was  the  principal  food.  The  foundations 
of  Amsterdam  were  said  to  be  laid  on  herring-bones.  The  Dutch  be- 
came immensely  wealthy  by  their  monopoly  of  the  herring-fisheries.  In 
noblemen's  families  in  England,  at  that  period,  retainers  and  seiTanta 
lived  on  salt  beef  and  mutton;  but  for  three-fourths  of  the  year  on  fish, 
with  little  or  no  vegetables.  In  the  great  Earl  of  Northumberland's 
establishment  it  is  on  record  in  their  household  book  that  **  my  lord  and 
lady  had  for  breakfast  a  quart  of  beer,  as  much  wine,  two  pieces  of  salt- 
fish,  six  red  herrings,  four  white  ones,  and  a  dish  of  sprats."  No  wonder 
that  Cabot's  discovery  of  the  Newfoundland  fisheries  created  such  a 
sensation  and  led  to  an  excitement  on  the  subject  of  fishing.  Persons  of 
the  highest  distinction  took  part  in  the  fishing  adventures  of  those  days, 
and  a  rapid  extension  of  the  Bank  and  shore  fishery  followed  on  the  part 
of  France  and  England.  Thus  the  enterprises  of  the  hardy  fishermen 
of  both  nations,  to  procure  an  article  of  food  for  the  fast  days  of  the 
Ciuurh,  led  to  the  most  important  political  results.  Even  when  England 
had  become  Protestant,  laws  were  passed  to  promote  the  consumption  of 
fish  among  the  people,  in  order  to  encourage  the  fishing  industries,  espe- 
cially those  in  American  waters.  In  1563,  in  the  reign  of  Elizabeth,  a  law 
was  passed  which  provided  "  that  as  well  for  the  irainteuance  of  shipping, 
the  increase  of  fishermen  and  mariners,  and  the  repairing  of  port-towns, 
as  for  the  sparing  of  the  fresh  victual  of  the  reulm,  it  shall  not  l)e  lawful 
for  any  one  to  eat  flesh  on  Wednesdays  and  Saturdays,  unless  under  the 
forfeiture  of  £3  for  each  offence,  except  in  case  of  sickness  and  those  of 


II 


'Hpil 


52 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


special  licenses  to  be  obtained."  Other  laws  followed  until  there  were 
one  hundred  and  fifty-three  days  ou  which  only  fish  could  be  eaten. 
The  punishment  for  the  violation  of  these  laws  was,  for  the  first  otfence 
a  fine  often  shilling's  and  ten  days'  imprisonment;  for  the  second,  double 
these  inflictions.    No  wonder  fish  was  in  great  demand. 

Francis  I. — King  of  France  from  lolS  till  1547.  His  famous 
interview  with  Henry  VHI.,  of  England,  on  "the  Field  of  the  CTotii  of 
(irold,"  took  place  in  1520.  He  was  taken  pi-isoner  in  the  battle  of  Pavia, 
in  1525. 

Jacques  Cartier.  —  A  native  of  St.  Malo,  a  seaport  in  the  north- 
west of  France,  on  the  north  coast  of  the  province  of  Bretagne.  He 
was  the  discoverer  of  Canada  and  the  St.  Lawrence.  He  and  Roberval 
met  in  1542,  in  the  harbour  of  St.  John's,  Newfoundland.  Robei-val  was 
on  his  way  to  C-anada ;  Cartier  was  on  his  way  home  to  France.  Robor- 
val,  as  commander  of  the  expedition,  ordered  Cartier  to  return  to 
Canada;  but  he  refused,  and  sailed  for  France.  Roben^al  went  on, 
built  a  fort  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  perished  with  his  men,  by  cold  and 
famine,  during  the  following  winter. 

Samuel  de  Champlain,  born  atBrouage,  a  small  seaport  on  the 
Bay  of  Biscay.  He  fouglit  under  Henry  of  Navarre,  or  Henry  IV.,  the 
first  king  of  the  House  of  Bourbon.  Being  a  favourite  at  court,  he 
obtained  command  of  an  expedition  to  Canada,  to  explore  and  colonize. 
He  was  a  man  of  noble  character,  courageous,  disinterested,  kind,  and 
courteous.  His  remarkable  exploits  and  labours  belong  to  the  history  of 
Canada,  in  whose  interests  he  toiled  for  thirty  years,  and  of  which  he  was 
the  Father  and  Founder.  He  was  appointed,  at  length.  Governor  of 
Canada,  in  1633,  and  died  two  years  after,  universally  lamented.  Lake 
Champlain,  of  which  he  was  the  discoverer,  bears  his  name. 

Sir  Humphrey  Gilbert  was  a  son  of  Sir  Otho  Gilbert,  of  Compton 
Castle,  TorJ)ay.  His  mother  was  a  Champcrnoun,  of  purest  Norman 
descent.  Sir  Otho  had  three  sons  by  this  lady,  —  John,  Humphrey,  and 
Adrian,  —  who  all  proved  to  be  men  of  superior  abilities.  They  were  all 
three  knighted  by  Elizabeth.  Sir  Otho  died,  and  his  widow  married 
Walter  Raleigh,  a  gentleman  of  ancient  blood,  but  impoverished.  To 
her  second  husband  she  bore  a  son  whose  fame  was  destined  to  be  world- 
wide, and  who  was  kni.hted  as  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  by  Elizabeth.  Not 
many  women  could  boast  of  being  the  mother  of  four  such  sons.  >  y, . 


M 


ti  «  y    !i!! 


CIIRONOLOCY. 


53 


CHRONOLOGICAL  SUMMARY.— CHAPTERS  IIL  AND  IV. 

A.D. 

1497.  Vasco  da  Gama,  a  Portuguese  navigator,  doubled  the  Cape 

of  Good  Hope  and  reached  India. 

1509.  Henry  VIII.  King  of  England. 

1512.  Florida  discovered  by  De  Leon. 

1513.  The  Pacific  Ocean  discovered  by  Balboa. 

1515.  Francis  I.  King  of  France.  , 

1519.  Charles  V.  King  of  Spain  and  Emperor  of  Germany. 

1520.  Magellan's  voyage  round  the  globe. 

1521.  Mexico  conquered  by  Cortes. 

1524.  North  America  coasted  by  Verazzani. 

1531.  Peru  conquered  by  Pizarro. 

1534.  C:.  Lawrence  discovered  by  Cartier. 

1541.  The  Mississippi  discovered  by  De  Soto.  ^    ^ 

1552.  Edmund  Spenser  born.  , 

1558.  Elizabeth  Queen  of  England. 

1556.  Philip  II.  King  of  Spain. 

1564.  Shakespeare  born. 

1577.  Drake's  voyage  round  the  world. 

1588.  Spanish  Armada  invaded  England. 

1589.  Henry  IV.  (first  Bourbon)  King  of  France. 


n 


EMINENT  MEN  IN   THE   SIXTEENTH   CENTURY. 

Michael  Angelo;  RafPaelle;  Sir  Philip  Sidney;  Spenser; 
Shakespeare ;  Cervantes  ;  Copernicus ;  Martin  Luther ;  Cardinal 
Bellarmine;  John  Knox  ;  Ignatius  Loyola;  Tycho  Brahe. 


54 


FISHERIES. 


[1583- 


CHAPTER   V. 


FISHERIES. 


«I2 


mA 


I' 


'ii!:i ' 


''■     I 


n 


rROM    lSM:t    TO    1615. 

INCREASE  OF  THE    ENGLISH  COD-FISIIERY.  —  GUY's   SETTLE- 
MENT   IN    CONCEPTION    BAY.  ITS    FAILURE. 

1 .  Though  the  voyage  of  Sir  Humphrey  Gilbert  ended 
so  disastrously  to  himself  and  others,  it  was  far  from 
being  fruitless.  It  fixed  the  attention  of  Englishmen  on 
Newfoundland  and  its  valuable  fisheries,  and  prepared 
the  way  for  other  enterprises  designed  to  promote  its 
settlement.  Not  only  so,  but  Gilbert's  attempt  at 
colonization  awoke  in  the  minds  of  his  countrymen  that 
spirit  of  adventure  which  led  them  to  plant  colonies  in 
New  England,  which  have  since  grown  into  the  great 
Republic  of  the  United  States. 

2.  Undeterred  by  the  sad  fate  of  Gilbert,  his  half- 
brother,  Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  obtained  a  patent  from 
Queen  Elizabeth  for  i)lanting  colonies  in  America.  In 
1584  he  fitted  out  two  ships  an  founded  a  colony, 
which  he  named  Virginia,  after  the  maiden  queen.  No 
colony  can  claim  to  date  so  far  back,  and  hence  it  is 
often  called  "The  Old  Dominion."  This  gallant  Eng- 
lishman stands  foremost  among  the  colonizers  of  the 
New  World.  He  undauntedly  pursued  these  enterprises, 
and  lavished  his  fortune  on  them.  He  diffused  among 
his  countrymen  such  a  knowledge  of  America,  and  such 
an  interest  in  its  destinies,  as  bore  abundant  fruit,  long 
after  he  was  laid  in  the  g-rave.  No  braver  or  more 
patriotic  Englishman  ever  lived.     No  greater  disgrace 


1615.] 


FISHERIES. 


55 


attached  to  the  name  of  James  1.,  of  England,  than  the 
act  of  sending  to  the  block,  in  his  old  age,  and  after 
twelve  years'  imprisonment.  Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  the  gal- 
lant soldier,  the  accomplished  scholar,  the  far-seeing 
statesman,  the  persevering  colonizer.  It  was  not,  how- 
ever, till  thirteen 
years  after  Ra- 
leigh's first  effort 
that  the  first  per- 
manent English 
colony  w  a  s 
formed  in  Vir- 
ginia, in  1620, 
under  a  charter 
from  James  I. 
It  was  planted  at 
Jamestown,  on 
the  shores  of 
Chesapeake  Bay. 
3.  For  twenty- 
seven  years  after 
the  failure  of  Gil- 
bert's expedition 
no  fresh  attempt 
was  made  to 
found  a  colon}'  in 
Newfoundland. 

War  between  England  and  Spain  broke  out  in  1584. 
The  bold  sea-rover.  Sir  Francis  Drake,  was  despatched 
with  a  small  squadron  to  Newfoundland,  where  he  made 
l)rizes  of  a  number  of  Portuguese  vessels,  laden  with  fish 
and  oil,  and  carried  them  to  England.  The  attention 
of  English  adventurers  was  once  more  turned  to  New- 
foundland.    There  is  a  record  of  one  Richard  Apsham, 


i^'f^J^ 


8IR  FRANCIS   DRAKE. 


56 


FISHERIES. 


[1583- 


I  1;       '■     { 

VMM 


11  ji,. 


who,  in  1593,  fitted  out  two  vessels  for  the  purpose  of 
taking  walruses,  on  the  south-west  coast,  where,  at  that 
time,  these  animals  were  plentiful.  Four  years  later 
some  London  merchants  fitted  out  two  armed  vessels, 
which,  after  fishing  some  time  on  the  Banks,  encoun- 
tered some  French  and  Spanish  vessels  off  the  south- 
ern shore.  After  a  sharp  contest  the  English  vessels 
captured  the  others,  and  carried  one  of  them  to  Graves- 
end,  with  a  valuable  cargo  of  fish  and  oil.  One  of  the 
English  ships,  however,  was  wrecked  on  Cape  Breton. 

4.  Meantime  the  shores  of  Newfoundland  were  re- 
sorted to  by  the  fishermen  of  various  nations,  who  took 
fish  in  its  waters,  and  used  its  harbours  and  coves  for 
curing  and  drying  them.  In  1577  there  were  100 
Spanish  and  50  Portuguese  vessels  thus  employed ;  but 
they  rapidly  diminished  in  numbers,  and,  in  a  short 
time,  withdrew  almost  entirely  from  these  fisheries.  The 
wealth  to  be  acquired  in  the  gold  regions  of  South 
America  soon  proved  a  stronger  attraction  to  the 
Spaniards  than  this  sea-harvest,  which  could  only  be 
gathered  amid  toils  and  dangers.  Portugal,  too,  pre- 
ferred colonization  in  South  America,  and  the  acquisi- 
tion of  wealth  in  the  mines  of  Brazil.  Thus  the  New- 
foundland fisheries  were  left  to  the  English  and  French. 
In  1577  the  French  had  150  vessels  employed,  and 
prosecuted  the  fisheries  with  great  vigour  and  success. 
On  the  accession  of  Henry  IV.,  the  first  Bourbon,  the 
cod-fishery  was  placed  under  the  protection  of  the  gov- 
ernment, and  was  regarded  as  being  of  great  D«\tional 
importance,  and  such  it  has  been  ever  since. 

5,  The  English,  who  were  later  in  commencing  this 
industr}*,  soon  gained  rapidly  on  their  rivals,  the  French. 
During  the  ten  years  which  followed  the  death  of  Gilbert, 
ending  in  1593,  the  progress  of  the  English  fishery  in 


lllii! 

Jill . 


1615.] 


FISIIERJES. 


57 


NeM^foundhiiul  was  so  great  that  Sir  Walter  Raleigh 
declared,  in  the  House  of  Commons,  "  it  was  the  stay 
and  support  of  the  west  counties  of  England."  In  the 
year  IGOO  it  is  known  that  200  English  ships  went  to 
Newfoundland,  and  that  they  employed,  as  catchers  on 
board,  and  curers  on  shore,  quite  10,000  men  and  boys. 
Sir  William  Monson,  an  Englishman  who  wrote  in  1610, 
declared  that  since  the  island  was  taken  possession 
of  the  fisheries  had  been  worth  £100,000  annually  to 
British  subjects.  This  was  an  immense  sum  in  those 
days.  He  further  said  that  these  fisheries  had  greatly 
increased  the  number  of  England's  ships  and  mariners. 
The  ships  left  England  in  March  for  the  fishing-grounds, 
and  returned  in  September.  The  fishermen  passed  their 
winters  in  England,  idly  spending  their  summer  earnings. 
6.  It  is  not  wonderful,  under  such  circumstances, 
when  Newfoundland  was  so  prominently  before  the 
minds  of  Englishmen,  that  a  second  effort  should  be 
made  to  plant  a  colony  on  its  chores.  In  1609  John 
Guy,  a  merchant,  and  afterwards  mayor  of  Bristol,  pub- 
lished a  pamphlet,  in  which  he  pointed  out  the  advan- 
tages of  colonizing  the  island.  It  was  evident  that 
much  time  and  money  were  wasted  in  carrying  on  the 
fisheries  from  England.  To  persons  of  broad,  liberal 
views  it  was  clear  that  the  right  method  was  to  hold  out 
inducements  to  fishermen  to  live  permanently  near  the 
fishing-grounds,  —  the  plan  proposed  by  Sir  Humphrey 
Gilbert.  Guy's  pamphlet  made  such  a  deep  impression 
on  the  public  mind  that  a  company  was  formed  to  carry 
out  the  enterprise  it  suggested.  Several  noblemen  hav- 
ing influence  at  the  court  of  James  I.  took  part  in  this 
undertaking.  Among  these  were  the  celebrated  Lord 
Bacon,  who  was  then  Solicitor  General ;  Lord  North- 
ampton,  Keeper  of   the   Seals;    Sir  Francis  Tanfield, 


M 


58 


FISHERIES. 


[1583. 


lii 


>t:.. 


'in-'; 


•f.  : 


Chief  Buron  of  the  Exchequer;  Sir  Daniel  Donn,  and 
other  noblemen  and  gentlemen  to  the  number  of  lifty. 
The  importance  of  the  island  as  a  site  for  a  colony  did 
not  escape  the  wide-ranging  eye  of  Lord  Bacon,  who 
declared  that  "  its  fisheries  were  more  valuable  than  all 
the  mines  of  Peru."  This  judgment  has  been  amply 
confirmed  by  time  and  experience.  To  this  company 
James  I.,  by  letters-patent,  dated  April,  IGIO,  made  a 
grant  of  all  that  part  of  Newfoundland  which  lic:^  be- 
tween Cape  I>onavista  and  Cape  St.  Mary. 

7,  The  enterprise,  thus  favourably  commenced,  was 
not  successful.  Guy  was  appointed  governor,  and,  with 
a  considerable  number  of  colonists,  landed  at  Mosquito 
Cove,  near  Harbour  Grace,  on  the  north  shore  of  Con- 
ception Bay.  Here  temporary  habitations  were  erected. 
By  kindly  and  prudent  measures  he  conciliated  the 
native  Indians,  and  secured  their  friendship.  Little  is 
known  regarding  the  history  of  this  settlement,  which, 
according  to  Whitbourne's  account,  continued  for  four 
or  five  years  in  a  fairly  prosperous  condition.  For  some 
unexplained  reason  Guy  and  some  of  the  colonists  re- 
turned to  England,  and  those  who  remained  moved  to 
other  localities.  It  is  not  improbable  that  piracy  was 
the  cause  of  the  failure.  In  1612  Peter  Easton,  a  noted 
pirate,  with  ten  well-appointed  ships,  made  himself 
complete  master  of  the  seas,  and  levied  a  general  con- 
tribution on  vessels  employed  in  fishing.  He  made  a 
descent  on  Conception  Bay,  and  seized  a  hundred  of  the 
fishermen  there,  and  carried  them  off  to  man  his  own 
fleet.  It  is  not  unlikely  that  the  infant  settlement  of 
Guy  was  so  liarassed  and  plundered  by  this  freebooter 
that  it  was  broken  up.  ' 

8.  The  year  1613  is  memorable  as  that  in  which  the 
first  child  of  European  parents  was  b(jrn  in  Newfound- 
land. 


QUESTIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION, 


59 


QUESTIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION  ON  CHAPTER  V. 

1,  What  important  results  followed  from  Sir  Humphrey 
Gilbert's  voyage  to  Newfoundland? 

2.  Who  founded  the  Colony  of  Virginia,  and  in  wliat  year? 
Wiiat  was  the  character  of  Sir  Walter  Raleigh?  What  was  his 
fate?  When  and  where  was  the  first  permanent  settlement  formed 
in  Virginia? 

3»  When  did  Sir  Francis  Drake  visit  Newfoundland,  and  what 
did  he  do?  For  what  purpose  did  Richard  Apshani  send  vessels? 
What  occurred  in  1597? 

4*  When  were  Spanish  and  Portuguese  fishing-vessels  most 
numerous  in  Newfoundland  waters?  Why  did  they  withdraw? 
How  many  French  vessels  were  fishing  in  1577? 

6.  What  shows  the  increase  of  English  fishing-vessels?  What 
did  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  say  of  the  value  of  these  fisheries?  What 
did  Sir  William  Molson  say  of  them?  What  time  did  the  English 
fishermen  leave  home  and  return? 

<>.  Who  was  John  Guy?  What  steps  did  he  take  to  establish 
a  colony  in  the  island?  Who  joined  him?  What  did  Lord  Bacon 
say  of  the  fisheries?  What  was  the  date  of  Guy's  patent?  What 
was  the  extent  of  the  grant? 

7.  Where  did  Guy  conunence  a  settlement?  How  long  did  it 
continue?     What  was  tlie  probable  cause  of  its  failure? 

8.  What  is  the  year  1613  noted  for? 


-'  MAP  QUESTIONS.  ,. 

Where  is  Virginia?  Jamestown?  Chesapeake  Bay?  What 
State  is  on  the  south  of  Virginia?  Where  is  Gravesend?  Brazil? 
Point  out  Mosquito  Cove. 


i 


mmwi 


Hi' 


I 


60 


N^OTBS  AN'D  EXPLANATIONS. 


NOTES   AND   EXPLANATIONS.  — CHAPTER  V. 

Sir  Walter  Raleigh's  death  on  the  scaffold  was  a  very  pathetic 
scene.  He  first  knelt  down  and  prayed ;  then  he  arose  and  examined 
the  block.  "  Show  me  the  axe,"  he  said  to  the  executioner.  Touching 
the  edge  with  his  finp^er  and  kissing  the  blade,  he  said,  "  This  gives  me 
no  fear.  It  is  a  sharp  and  fair  medicine  to  cure  me  of  all  my  diseases." 
He  laid  his  head  on  the  block,  and  when  the  headsman,  much  moved, 
hesitated  to  strike,  Raleigh  said,  "  What  dost  thou  fear  ?  Strike,  man, 
strike  !"  He  lay  quite  still,  and  his  lips  were  seen  to  move  in  prayer.  At 
two  blows  his  head  was  severed  from  his  body.  Thus  was  put  to  death, 
at  the  age  of  sixty-six,  a  brave  man,  who  had,  in  his  day,  but  few  equals. 

Virginia*  —  Tobacco  and  the  potato  were  brought  to  Enj^'-ind  by 
Raleigh,  and  their  use  in  Eui'ope  dates  from  his  time.  So  profitable  was 
the  growth  of  tobacco  in  Virginia  that  for  a  time  the  very  streets  of 
Jamestown  were  planted  with  it.  Everything  was  paid  for  in  tobacco, 
as  there  was  little  or  no  money.  Salaries  of  clergy,  taxes,  debts,  were 
paid  in  tobacco.  Ninety  respectable  young  women  were  sent  out  by  the 
company  from  England,  and  whoever  took  one  of  them  for  a  wife  must 
pay  a  hundred  pounds  of  tobacco.  If  a  woman  was  convicted  of  slander 
her  husband  had  to  pay  a  fine  of  one  hundred  pounds  of  tobacco. 

Lord  Bacon. --Born  in  1561,  he  rose  to  be  Lord  Chancellor  iu 
tl"  ■;  reign  of  James  I.  His  is  the  greatest  name  connected  with  New- 
K  'mdland's  colonizers.  He  was  the  apostle  of  experimental  philosophy, 
of  whom  Macaulay  says :  "  Turn  where  you  will,  the  trophies  of  his 
mighty  intellect  are  in  view."  His  greatest  works  were  "  The  Advance- 
ment of  Learning  "  and  "  The  Novum  Organon,"  the  influence  of  Avhich 
was  immense.  His  intellectual  grandeur  has  rarely  been  sui-passed. 
Unhappilv,  he  yielded  to  the  corrupting  influences  of  his  time,  and 
tarnished  his  fair  fame  by  accepting  bribes  in  his  high  judicial  office. 
For  this  he  was  sentenced  to  pay  a  fine  of  £40,000,  which  was  afterwards 
remitted.  He  spent  his  closing  years  in  scientific  pursuits,  and  died  in 
1626. 


ilii 


1015.] 


WHITBOURNTS  COMMISSION. 


m 


CHAPTER  VI. 


FROM    1A15    TO    ieS5. 


WHITE  0  URNE'S  COMMISSION. 


SIR    GEORGE     CALVERT*S     CHARTER.  — FmST     ARRIVAL     OF 


EMIGRANTS 
ARRIVAL. 


PROM     IRELAND.  —  SIR       DAVID      KIRKE  S 


1,  We  now  come  to  an  important  period  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  island,  and  one  which  marks  its  rising  impor- 
tance. In  1615  Captain  Richard  Whitbourne,  mariner, 
of  Exmouth,  Devonshire,  received  a  commission  from 
the  Admiralty  of  England  to  proceed  to  Newfoundland, 
for  the  purpose  of  establishing  order  among  the  iBshing 
population,  and  remedying  certain  abuses  which  had 
grown  up  there.  The  appointment  of  Whitbourne 
shows  that  the  trade  and  fishericb  of  the  island  were  now 
chiefly  in  the  hands  of  the  English,  as  he  could  not 
exercise  such  jurisdiction  except  over  British  subjects. 
On  his  arrival  at  St.  John's,  he  summoned  a  court, 
empanelled  juries,  and  heard  the  complaints  of  no  less 
than  170  masters  of  English  vessels,  regarding  injuries 
to  the  fisheries  and  trade  of  the  island.  He  found  that 
there  were,  besides  the  vessels  of  foreign  flags,  250 
English  ships  employed  in  the  fisheries.  His  courts  and 
juries  were  the  first  attempts  at  the  establishment  of  law 
and  order  in  the  New  World,  under  the  authoritv  of 
England.  These  facts  show  in  what  a  flourishing  con- 
dition was  the  English  cod-fishery  at  this  early  date. 

2.  Already  fixed  settlements  had  commenced,  which 
gradually  extended  fromTorbay  (originally  Thornebay), 


i;« ' 


62 


WiriTBOURNE'S  COMMISSION: 


:jli 


[I015< 


|i|jk 


ill 


m 


I.  V- 


iwiii 


ilh 


1:  I'' 


!i  i< 


il'i 


six  miles  north  of  St.  John's,  to  Cape  Race  (originally 
Raze).  To  connect  these  settlements,  scattered  over 
such  an  extent  of  coast,  with  St.  John's,  the  settlers 
cut  paths  through  the  woods.  Vessels  arriving  at  St. 
John's  supplied  them  with  necessaries,  in  exchange  for 
the  produce  of  the  fisheries. 

3.  In  1622  Whitbourne  returned  to  England,  where 
he  published  a  book,  called  "  A  Discourse  and  Discovery 
of  Newfoundland."  In  this  book  he  spoke  highly  of  the 
climate,  soil,  and  fisheries,  and  strongly  urged  his  coun- 
trymen to  colonize  it.  King  James  ordered  a  copy  of 
this  book  to  be  sent  to  every  parish  in  the  kingdom. 
The  Archbishops  of  Canterbury  and  York  issued  a  letter 
recommending  it  to  the  notice  of  the  people,  in  order  to 
induce  P^nglishmen  to  emigrate  to  Newfoundland.  Thus, 
263  years  ago,  Newfoundland  was  a  name  on  the  lips  of 
Englishmen,  and  was  probably  more  widely  known  than 
it  came  to  be  long  afterwards,  when  it  was  misrepre- 
sented and  decried  by  interested  persons,  from  selfish 
motives,  r"d  treated  as  a  place  of  little  importance. 

4.  We  now  come  to  notice  the  best-regulated  effort 
yet  made  to  plant  a  colony  in  Newfoundland.  This  was 
carried  out  under  the  guidance  of  Sir  George  Calvert, 
afterwards  Lord  Baltimore.  lie  was  a  Roman  Catholic 
gentleman  of  Yorkshire,  who  had  been  knighted  by 
James  I.,  and  appointed  by  him  one  of  the  secretaries 
of  state.  He  was  a  man  of  intelligence,  lofty  integrity, 
and  possessed  of  great  capacity  for  business.  From  the 
king  he  obtained,  in  1623,  a  patent  conveying  to  him  the 
lordship  of  the  whole  southern  peninsula  of  Newfound- 
land. He  named  it  Avalon,  from  the  ancient  name  of 
Glastonbury,  Somersetshire,  where  Clu'istianity  is  said 
to  have  been  first  preached  in  England.  One  of  his 
objects  was  to  provide  a  refuge  for  his  co-religionists, 


f'lv 


1055.] 


WHITBOURNE'S  COMMISSION. 


63 


of  the  Roman  Catholic  faith,  who  were  suffering  from  the 
persecuting  spirit  then  unhappily  prevalent,  more  or  less, 
among  all  religious  bodies. 

5.  Sir  George  Calvert  selected  Ferryland,  fort}^  miles 
north  of  Cape  Race,  as  the  site  of  his  colony.  Here  he 
built  a  noble  man- 
sion, in  which  he 
resided  for  sev- 
eral years.  He 
used  great  care 
in  selecting  colo- 
nists of  the  right 
stamp,  and  en- 
deavoured to  pro- 
mote among  them 
habits  of  industry 
and  economy.  He 
also  erected  a 
strong  fort  for 
their  protection, 
and  large  grana- 
ries and  store- 
houses. On  this 
.settlement  he  ex- 
pended £30,000, 
—  a  large  sum  in  lord  Baltimore. 

those  days.     For 

a  time  things  seemed  to  prosper.  Reinforcements  of 
colonists  continued  to  arrive,  and  supplies  of  stores  and 
iuii)lements.  But  the  soil  around  Ferryland  was  unfa- 
vourable for  cultivation.  The  French,  who  had  now  got 
a  footing  in  Newfoundland,  in  several  places,  and  who 
were  at  war  with  the  English,  harassed  his  settlement 
with  repeated  attacks.  ;» 


i!|  :1U 


64 


WHITBOURNE'S  COMMISSION. 


[1615- 


6«  Wearied  by  these  adverse  circumstances  he  at 
length  gave  up  his  plantation  and  returned  to  England. 
From  Charles  I.  he  obtained  a  patent  of  the  country  now 
called  Maryland.  Before  his  patent  had  passed  the 
necessary  forms  Lord  Baltimore  died  in  London,  in 
1632 ;  but  a  new  one  was  issued  to  his  son,  Cecil,  who 
succeeded  to  his  honours,  and  founded  the  city  of  Bal- 
timore, in  Maryland.  Before  his  death  the  first  Lord 
Baltimore  drew  up  a  charter  for  the  Maryland  colony, 
which  showed  that  in  wisdom,  liberality,  and  statesman- 
ship  he  was  far  ahead  of  his  age.  The  Catholic  Lord 
Baltimore  was  the  first  to  establish  a  constitution  which 
embodied  the  principle  of  complete  liberty  of  conscience, 
the  equality  of  all  Christian  sects,  together  with  popular 
institutions,  on  the  broad  basis  of  freedom.  Thus  he  is 
deservedly  ranked  among  the  wisest  and  best  law-givers 
of  all  ages.  Most  of  the  colonists  be  brought  to  New- 
foundland remained  to  increase  the  resident  population. 

7,  The  first  arrival  of  emigrants  from  Ireland  took 
place  soon  after  the  departure  of  Lord  Baltimore.  Vis- 
count Falkland  was  then  Lord  Lieutenant  of  L'eland. 
He  sent  out  a  body  of  settlers  from  that  country  to 
increase  the  small  population  of  Newfoundland.  These, 
a-t  a  later  date,  were  followed  by  many  more.  In  this 
way  it  came  about  that  the  population  of  the  island  was 
composed  of  English  and  Irish  settlers  and  their  de- 
scendants ;  and,  at  one  time,  the  Saxon  and  Celtic 
elements  were  in  almost  equal  proportions.  It  is  not 
improbable  that  the  disturbed  condition  of  Ireland  led 
a  number  of  its  people,  from  time  to  time,  to  seek  a 
happier  home  and  greater  freedom  on  the  shores  of 
Newfoundland. 

8.  The  next  charter  for  the  settlement  of  the  island 
was  given   to  Sir   David   Kirke,  who  arrived  in  1638. 


1655.] 


WniTBOURNrS  COMMISSION. 


65 


This  brave  sea-captain  had  won  high  honours  in  warlike 
operations  against  the  French  in  Canada.  He  had  capt- 
ured a  French  fleet  at  Gasp6 ;  made  a  clean  sweep  of 
all  the  French  settlements  in  Canada  and  Acadia,  and 
taken  Quebec.  He  was  knighted  for  his  bravery  by 
Charles  I.,  who 
also  made  a  grant 
in  his  favour  of 
the  whole  island 
of  Newfoundland. 
He  took  up  his 
abode  at  Ferry- 
land,  in  the  house 
built  by  Lord 
Baltimore.  Sir 
David  governed 
wisely,  and  used 
every  effort  to 
promote  the  set- 
tlement of  the 
country.  Much 
success  attended 
his  efforts.  But 
the  civil  war  in 
England,  between 
Charles  and  the 
Parliament,  now 

commenced.  Kirke  was  a  stanch  loyalist,  and  all  his 
possessions  in  Newfoundland  were  confiscated  by  the 
victorious  Commonwealth.  By  'ne  aid  of  Claypole, 
Cromwell's  son-in-law,  he  was  at  length  reinstated  in  his 
possessions,  and,  returning  to  Ferryland,  died  there,  in 
1655,  at  the  age  of  fifty-six. 


CKCIL,  SECOND  LORD  BALTIMORE. 


66 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


IB  lit'!  ,.; 


QUESTIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION  ON  CHAPTER  VI.     . 

1  •  When  did  Captain  Whitbourne  arrive,  and  for  what  purpose 
was  he  sent?  What  does  his  appointment  show?  In  what  state 
did  he  find  the  fisheries? 

2.  Where  were  there  fixed  settlements  at  this  time? 

3.  What  did  Whitbourne  do  on  his  return  to  England?  What 
do  you  know  of  his  book  on  the  Island? 

4»  Who  was  Sir  George  Calvert?  What  was  his  character? 
What  was  the  date  of  his  patent  and  what  the  extent  of  his  grant? 
What  is  the  origin  of  the  name  Avalon?  What  object  had  Calvert 
in  view  ? 

6,  Where  did  he  settle?  What  did  he  do  to  secure  prosperity 
to  his  settlement,  and  how  much  money  did  he  expend?  What 
caused  failure? 

6.  Where  did  Calvert  go  on  leaving?  What  colony  was 
founded  by  his  son?  What  is  the  constitution  of  Maryland 
noted  for? 

7.  Wlien  did  the  first  Irish  emigrants  arrive? 

8.  What  is  the  date  of  Kirke's  settlement?  What  led  to  his 
coming?  Give  an  account  of  his  colony.  Where  did  he  die  and 
when? 


MAP  QUESTIONS.     '       ^  '^ 

Where  is  Devonshire?    Exmouth?    Glastonbury?    Ferry  land? 
Maryland?     Gasp^? 


I':'  ' 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS.  —  CHAPTER  VI. 

Captain  Whitbourne  was  connected  with  the  trade  of  Newfound- 
land for  forty  years,  and  had  formed  a  high  opinion  of  the  capabilities  ol" 
the  country.  His  memory  deserves  to  be  held  iu  lasting  respect  for  the 
services  he  rendered  in  drawing  attention  to  the  island,  and  urging  its 
colonization.  Like  most  seamen  he  had  his  supei'stitions,  and  believed 
firmly  in  the  existence  of  mermaids.  In  his  book  he  gives  an  amusing 
account  of  seeing  one  of  these  fabulous  creatures  in  the  harbour  of  St. 
John's.  He  says  it  came  swimming  towai'ds  him,  "  looking  cheerfully 
into  bis  face,"  the  face,  nose,  eyes,  and  forehead  beautiful  as  a  woman's, 
with  "  blue  streaks  "  about  the  head  like  hair.  This  fascinating  creature 
came  so  t)oldly  and  swiftly  towards  the  gallant  captain  that  he  thought 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


67 


she  meant  to  spring'  ashore  to  him.  He  had  commanded  a  ship,  and 
fought  bravely  against  the  Spanish  Armada,  but  he  thought  it  prudent 
to  run  when  he  kuw  the  mermaid  approaching.  Perhaps  he  thought  she 
intended  to  carry  him  off  to  her  sea-caves.  The  mermaid  then  swam 
away,  •'  often  looking  back  towards  me ; "  the  back  and  shoulders  were 
"  white  and  smooth  as  the  back  of  a  man."  '*  This,"  says  the  captain, 
•*  was,  I  suppose,  a  mermaid  or  merman ;  but  I  leave  it  to  others  to 
judge." 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  honest  captain  had  seen  a  seal 
disporting  in  the  waters  of  the  harbour,  in  the  haze  of  the  morning, 
and  his  excited  imagination  did  the  rest. 

Ferryland  is  thirty-five  miles  south  of  St.  John's.  Avalon  was  the 
ancient  name  of  Glastonbury.  The  old  Boman  town  of  Verulam  occu- 
pied the  site  there  of  what  was  afterwards  St.  Albans  Abbey.  Calvei't, 
to  perpetuate  these  memories,  called  his  province  Avalon,  and  his  town 
Verulam,  which  was  corrupted  first  into  Ferulam  and  then  into  Ferrj'- 
land.  Bonnycastle,  however,  says  its  original  name  was  Fore-Island, 
which  is  applicable  to  the  locality.  This  was  corrupted  into  Forriland, 
and  then  into  Ferriland,  which  name  it  bore  in  the  days  of  Calvei't,  as  it 
is  written  so  in  a  letter  from  the  place  dated  1622. 

The  changes  and  corruptions  of  the  original  French  names  are  often 
curious.  Bay  of  Bulls  is  a  corruption  of  the  French  words  Baie  des 
Boules.  Catalina  harbour,  from  St.  Catherine's,  was  originally  named  by 
the  Spaniards  Catalina,  being  the  musical  Spanish  name  for  Catherine, 
like  the  Irish  Kathleen.  The  French  £aie  d'Espoir  (Bay  of  Hope)  is 
now,  by  corruption  of  the  name.  Bay  Despair.  Baie  de  Lihre  is  Bay 
Deliver.  Baie  le  Diable  has  become  Jabbouls.  Lance  au  Diable  is  Nancy 
Jobble.  Baie  de  Vieux,  or  Old  Man's  Bay,  is  Bay-the-View.  Baie 
d'Aviron  is  now  Aberoon.  Twillingate  was  originally  Toulinguet. 
Tasse  a  Varpent  is  Tostleojohn.     Beau  Bois  is  Boboy. 

The  presence  of  the  French  in  Newfoundland  is  attested  by  countless 
names  of  places,  such  as  Notre  Dame  Bay ;  Cape  Freehel  (now  Freels) ; 
Plaisance  or  Placentia,  on  account  of  its  beautiful  situation ;  St.  Jude's 
(now  Cape  Judy)  ;  Trepassey,  the  Bay  of  the  Trepasses,  or  All-Souls; 
Audierne  (now  Oderin) ;  Cape  de  Raz,  or  Capo  Eaco,  bare  Cape  (Cape 
llace) ;  Cape  Ray  (Raye) ,  or  Split  Cape,  from  its  appearance  at  sea ; 
Bnrgeo,  La  Poile,  La  Ilune,  Rose  Blanche,  and  numberless  places  on 
the  southern  shore.  Fermosa,  now  Fermeuse,  the  beautiful,  and  Renews, 
the  I'ocky,  must  have  been  named  by  the  Portuguese. 


rii 


68 


CON TEMPORA R Y  E\ 'ENTS. 


[1600- 


CH AFTER    VII. 


FROM  leoo  TO  leffO. 


w 


W\ 


lit 


iiv 


CONTEMPORARY  EVENTS. 

PROGRESS    OP     THE     NEW     ENGLAND     COLONIES. FRENCH 

COLONIZATION     IN     CANADA     AND    ACADIA.  — CONFLICT 
BETWEEN    ENGLAND  AND  FRANCE    IN    NORTH    AMERICA. 

1.  We  must  now  pause  for  a  moment,  in  following 
the  fortunes  of  Newfoundland,  in  order  to  learn  what 
Englishmen  had  been  doing,  during  the  half  century 
from  IGOO  to  1650,  in  planting  colonies  on  the  shores 
of  North  America ;  and  how  the  French  progressed  in 
colonizing  Canada  and  Acadia.  This  is  necessary  in 
order  to  understand  thoroughly  the  history  of  New- 
foundland. 

We  have  already  seen  how  the  first  permanent  English 
colony  was  formed  at  Jamestown,  in  Virginia,  in  1607. 
At  first  it  did  not  prosper,  and  several  times  it  was  on 
the  point  of  extinction.  At  length,  however,  emigrants 
of  a  better  sort  found  their  way  to  Virginia,  and  the 
colony  began  to  grow,  and  several  other  towns  arose. 
The  early  settlers  found  tobacco  in  extensive  use  among 
the  Indians.  When  introduced  into  England  it  speedily 
obtained  favour.  The  Virginian  settlers  soon  found  the 
cultivation  of  it  a  source  of  great  profit.  In  eighty  years 
Virginia  numbered  50,000  inhabitants. 

2.  The  21st  of  December,  1620,  was  a  memorable 
day  in  the  history  of  the  New  World.  On  that  day  a 
little  band  of  one  hundred,  called  afterwards  "the 
Pilgrim  Fathers,"     landed  from    the    Mayflower^    on 


ukL. 


1650.] 


CONTEMPORARY  EVENTS. 


69 


Plymouth  Rock, — a  granite  boulder  on  the  shore  of  Cape 
Cod  Buy,  which  is  still  reverently  preserved  by  their 
descendants.  They  had  fled  from  tyranny  and  perse- 
cution in  England,  first  to  Holland,  and  then  they  deter- 
mined to  seek  for  a  home  and  freedom  amid  the  great 
forests  of  New  England.  They  had  terrible  hardships 
and  difficulties  to  encounter,  but  they  bravely  sur- 
mounted them  all.  Nine  years  after,  in  1629,  five 
vessels  sailed  into  Salem  harboui,  with  another  band  of 
emigrants  on  board,  direct  from  England ;  and  the  next 
year  eight  hundred  more  arrived.  These  were  "Puri- 
tans," seeking  freedom  of  worship  and  safet}'  from 
persecution.  They  founded  the  towns  of  Salem  and 
Boston  ;  and  the  new  colony  was  called  Massachusetts 
Bay.  Afterwards  Plymouth  colony  united  with  this  one, 
under  the  name  of  Massachusetts, — an  Indian  word, 
signifying,  it  is  said,  "  Blue  Hills." 

3.  These  were  the  first  of  the  New  England  colonies  ; 
others  speedily  followed.  Rhode  Island  was  established 
in  1636;  Connecticut  in  1638;  then  New  Hampshire 
and  Vermont.  Twenty-four  years  after  the  landing  of 
the  "  Pilgrims  "  the  Dutch  discovered  the  Hudson  river, 
and  built  a  trading-post  on  Manhattan  Island.  They 
called  the  whole  territory  along  the  liver  "  New 
Netherlands,"  and  founded  a  settlement  named  "  New 
Amsterdam,"  where  now  stands  the  great  city  of  New 
York.  The  colony  prospered.  At  length,  in  1664, 
certain  English  ships  of  war  entered  the  bay.  New 
Amsterdam  surrendered  ;  the  whole  colony  passed  under 
British  rule,  and  in  honour  of  the  Duke  of  York,  after- 
wards James  II.,  was  named  New  York.  The  southern 
portion  of  the  territory  was  named  New  Jersey. 

4.  Thus  rapidl}'^  was  the  work  of  colonization  carried 
on,  while  i  .  Newfoundland  so  many   efforts  at  settle- 


70 


CON  TEMPO  It  A  R  Y  E  VENTS. 


[1600. 


I! 


""ffl 


Jip 


■I!  ■;: 


I'': 


' 


m 


ment  proved  unsucoessfnl.  Pennsylvania,  North  and 
South  Carolina,  and  Georgia  were  founded  at  a  later 
date.  These  early  New  Pkigland  colonists  were  men  of 
brave  hearts  and  strong  arms,  possessed  of  a  free,  bold 
spirit,  with  ability  and  determination  to  manage  their 
own  affairs.  They  came  of  their  own  free  choice  to 
make  a  home  for  themselves,  and  their  rise  to  strength 
and  greatness  was  rapid.  One  noble  purpose  these 
colonists  never  lost  sight  of  was  the  education  of  their 
children.  They  knew  that  no  success  could  attend  their 
efforts  if  their  children  were  allowed  to  grow  up  in 
ignorance.  One  of  their  earliest  efforts  was  to  establish 
everywhere  common  schools,  in  which  every  child  should 
receive  a  good  education.  We  need  not  wonder  that 
colonies  planted  by  such  men  soon  attained  a  robust 
growth.  When,  in  1774,  the  American  Revolution 
began,  the  thirteen  colonies  had  a  population  of  between 
two  and  three  millions.  It  is  not  wonderful  that  they 
won  their  independence.  At  that  time  England  had  but 
6,000,000,  Scotland  1,000,000,  and  Ireland  2,000,000 
inhabitants. 

5.  Meantime,  let  us  see  what  progress  the  French 
were  making  in  Canada.  We  have  already  seen  how 
they  were  led,  by  taking  part  in  the  Newfoundland  fish- 
eries, to  take  possession  of  Canada  and  Acadia.  Here 
they  determined  to  establish  a  dominion  worthy  of  the 
great  name  of  France.  No  expense  was  spared  to  pro- 
mote the  growth  of  colonies,  which  would  give  them 
a  firm  hold  on  these  magnificent  possessions.  Able 
and  wise  governors  were  appointed ;  soldiers  for  de- 
fence were  furnished ;  food  was  supplied  in  seasons  of 
scarcity. 

In  this  way  the  dominion  of  France  gradually  extended 
itself  along  the  St.  Lawrence,  amid  ceaseless  and  de- 


I"- 


iiiL 


1650.] 


CONTEMPORARY  EVENTS. 


71 


structive  wars  with  the  native  Indians.  Quebec  and 
Montreal  were  founded.  From  the  great  lakes  the 
French  pushed  their  discoveries  and  explorations  down 
the  Mississippi  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  aiid  claimed  the 
whole  territory  drained  by  it  and  its  tributaries.  Soon 
they  came  in  collision  with  the  New  England  colonists, 
who  were  extending  themselves  northward,  and  wanted 
to  secure  for  themselves  the  valuable  Canadian  fur  trade. 
At  a  1  ter  date  the  two  nations  also  met  in  the  valley  of 
the  Ohio,  where  the  French  prohibited  the  English 
colonists  from  trading.  Bloody  and  wasteful  wars  were 
carried  on,  and  both  sides  endeavoured  to  secure  the  as- 
sistance of  the  Indians.  The  conflict  thus  commenced 
went  on  for  a  century  and  a  half,  during  the  greater  part 
of  which  time  England  and  France  were  at  war.  Eng- 
land assisted  her  colonies  in  carrying  on  war  against  the 
French,  with  the  view  of  expelling  them  altogether  from 
the  American  continent.  The  French  fought  with  great 
braver}'  in  defence  of  their  possessions,  but  in  vain. 
Gradually  their  power  was  weakened.  One  after 
another  their  strongholds  were  captured  ;  and  at  length 
their  last  battle  was  fought  on  the  Heights  of  Abraham, 
in  1759,  and  Quebec  was  taken  by  General  Wolfe.  This 
was  one  of  the  decisive  battles  of  the  world ;  and  after 
it  the  white  flag  of  France  no  longer  waved  on  the  con- 
tinent of  America. 

6.  It  is  not  difficult  to  see  how  the  French  were  driven 
from  Canada.  They  have  never  been  successful  as  col- 
onizers. In  the  New  World  they  spent  their  strength 
mainly  in  military  adventures,  in  discoveries,  and  trad- 
ing operations.  They  did  little  in  cultivating  the  soil 
and  making  permanent  homes  for  themselves.  They 
carried  tlie  feudal  institutions  of  old  France  into  the 
Canadian  wilderness,   and  the  land  was  parcelled  out 


I'] 


I 


^i 


ml.    ■'. 
1,1.  ■    ■••' 


'i 


|g| 


72 


CONTKifPOItA  liY  K  VENTS. 


[1050. 


amon«5  a  few  nobles,  who  oppressed  the  people.  Mo- 
nopolies of  trade  were  given  to  ftivoured  individujils. 
Few  Frenchmen  emigrated  voluntarily  to  Canada,  uud 
the  colony  remained  feeble  and  unprogressive.  When 
the  New  England  colonists  had  grown  io  be  over  a 
million  strong,  the  French  in  the  valley  of  the  St.  Law- 
rence numbered  only  sixty-five  thousand.  These  could 
not  stand  before  the  sturdy  English  colonists,  backed  by 
the  military  resources  of  the  mother-country.  Great 
names  adorn  the  history  of  New  France,  such  as  Cham- 
plain,  De  Monts,  La  Tour,  La  Salle,  Frontenac,  Mont- 
calm. These  men  well  sustained  the  fame  of  their 
country,  and  employed  all  their  genius  and  bravery  in 
establishing  her  power.  The  self-devotion  and  zeal  of 
the  Jesuit  fathers,  in  prosecuting  their  missions  among 
the  Indians,  awaken  our  admiration.  But  all  failed  in 
giving  France  a  permanent  hold  on  Canada. 


I  : 


V       ■"'.■■■h'f'7-  :     ''Pi','' 


^■:.":>i       ■'•;■"■'' 


;■'..'/ ':f:;:  • 


QUESTIONS  FOR  h'A'AAfJXATION.  73 


MAP  QUESTIONS. 


Where  did  the  "Pilgrim  Fathers"  land?  Point  out,  on  the 
map,  Boston,  Salem,  Plymouth,  New  York,  Hudson  River,  States 
of  Connecticut,  New  Hampshire,  Rhode  Island,  Pennsylvania,  the 
Carolinas,  Georgia,  Quebec,  Montreal.  Trace  the  course  of  tht 
Ohio  River. 


QUESTIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION  ON  CHAPTER  VII. 

1.  What  industry  was  carried  on  by  tht*  early  Virginia 
settlers?     Did  they  increase? 

2.  When  did  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  arrive?  Where  did  tlu'V  I 
land?  Why  did  they  leave  home?  Where  did  the  Puritans  land?  I 
What  towns  did  they  found?                                           !■/                                              I 

3.  Give  the  dates  of  Rhode  Island,  Connecticut,  New  Hamp-  I 
shire,  and  Vermont.  Who  first  settled  in  New  York?  When  did  I 
it  become  an  English  possession?  What  was  the  origin  of  the  I 
nanu!,  New  York?                                                                                                            s 

4.  What  other  colonies  followed?     What  kind  of  men  were 
the  New  England  colonists?     How  did  they  show  their  regard  for 
education?     What  was  the  population  of  these  colonies  at  the        ,; 
time  of  the  American  Revolution? 

6.  What  led  the  French  to  occupy  Canada?  What  efforts  did 
they  make  to  settle  it?  Describe  their  progress.  Where  did 
they  come  in  collision  with  the  English  colonists?  What  was  the 
issue  of  the  conflict? 

6.  Why  did  the  French  fail  to  settle  and  hold  Canada?  Point 
out  the  weak  points  in  their  system  of  settlement.  Mention  some 
of  their  greatest  representatives  in  Canada. 


il- 
t 


74 


THE  FRENCH  IN  NEWFOUNDLAND.        [1655- 


CH AFTER    VIII. 


FRO:«I    1055    TO    1AW7. 


THE  FRENCH  IN  NEWFOUNDLAND, 


h  ■ 


W' 


IM' 


r  i'"' 


ii? 


!  Si  ■  ■! 


PLACENTIA  FOUNDED.  —  FRENCH  EFFORTS  TO  GET  POSSES- 
SION OF  THE  ISLAND.  —  EXPEDITION  OF  d'iBERVILLI^;.  — 
TREATY  OF  RYSWICK. ITS  EFFECT  ON  NEWFOUND- 
LAND. 

1.  The  great  events  referred  to  in  the  last  chapter 
were  closel;  connected  with  the  history  of  Newfound- 
land, and  greatly  influenced  the  fortunes  of  the  colony. 
In  carrying  out  their  plans  for  founding  an  empire  in 
the  New  World,  the  French  statesmen  were  eager  for 
the  conquest  of  Newfoundland.  The  possession  of  the 
island  they  knew  would  enable  them  to  control  the  fish- 
eries, and  also  to  command  the  narrow  entrance  to  the 
St.  Lawrence  and  their  possessions  in  Canada.  Hence, 
they  never  ceased  their  efforts  to  obtain  a  footing  in  the 
island ;  and  their  presence  and  encroachments  were  a 
constant  source  of  annoyance  to  the  English  and  Irish 
settlers. 

2.  In  1635  the  French  obtained  permission  from 
England  to  dry  fish  on  the  shores  of  Newfoundland,  on 
payment  of  a  duty  of  five  per  cent,  on  the  produce.  In 
1660  th3  French  founded  Placentia,  on  the  southern 
coast.  The  entrance  to  this  beautiful  and  commodious 
harbor  is  a  narrow  strait,  which  they  defended  by  the 
erection  of  Fort  St.  Louis,  a  strong  fortification  that 
stood  at  the  foot  of  a  reeky  height.  A  French  lieuten- 
ant-governor was  nominated  to  take  command  and  re- 


Ti 


fUiCSMTlA. 


fWT 


% 


'■■\:     ;.■,-  -1  V 


Im 


mi 


LHli; 


fi  '.''''•' : 


1697.]  THE  FRENCH  IN  NEWFOUNDLAND. 


75 


side  here.  In  1675  Charles  II.  was  persuaded  by  Louis 
XIV.  to  give  up  the  duty  of  five  per  cent,  hitherto  i)aid 
as  an  acknowledgment  that  the  island  belonged  to  Eng- 
land. From  this  time  the  French  became  bolder  and 
more  determined  in  extending  their  settlements,  espe- 
cially along  the  southern  shore,  where  many  of  the  places 
to  this  day  bear  the  French  names  given  by  them. 

3.  When  war  broke  out  between  England  and  France, 
on  the  accession  of  William  III.  to  the  throne,  one  of 
the  reasons  assigned  in  the  royal  declaration  of  war, 
was  that  the  French  had  been,  of  late,  making  unwarrant- 
able encroachments  in  Newfoundland.  To  check  these. 
Commodore  Williams  was  despatched,  in  1692,  with  a 
squadron,  to  seize  Placentia.  On  arriving  he  found 
that  a  strong  boom  had  been  thrown  across  the  entrance 
of  the  harbour,  and  that  he  had  three  well-armed  forts 
to  attack.  After  a  brisk  cannonade,  he  withdrew,  find- 
ing the  place  too  strong  to  be  captured  with  the  force 
under  his  command. 

4.  It  was  now  the  turn  of  the  French  to  become  the 
assailants ;  and  their  determined  efforts  to  seize  New- 
foundland were  crowned  with  a  short-lived  success.  In 
1696  Chevalier  Nesmond,  a  French  commander  with  a 
strong  squadron,  was  ordered  to  drive  the  English  out 
of  Newfoundland,  and  then  to  destroy  Boston  and  the 
neighbouring  settlements.  He  arrived  at  Placentia,  and 
from  thence  made  a  descent  on  St.  Jonn's,  which  was  at 
this  time  defended  by  several  forts,  and  held  by  a  garri- 
son. Thirty-four  English  ships  were  then  lying  in  the 
harbour.  Nesmond's  attack  was  successfully  repulsed, 
and  he  returned  to  France  without  accomplishing  any- 
thing. 

5.  But  the  French  persevered  in  their  designs  of 
conquest.      Later  in  the  same  year  a  more  formidable 


■  ' '  k 


'\M 


76 


THE  FRENCTT  IN  NEWFOUNDLAND.         [1655- 


II 


tlliiiiiUIL 

i 


expedition  was  prepared.  There  was  then  in  Canada  a 
famous  captain  called  D' Iberville  (pronounced  Dee-bair- 
viel) ,  who  was  much  employed  in  harassing  the  English 
settlements.  He  had  just  distinguished  himself  by  his 
skill  and  bravery  in  capturing  Fort  William  Henry, 
which  had  been  built  by  the  government  of  Massachu- 
setts, at  Pemaquid,  east  of  the  river  Kennebec.  He  was 
then  ordered  to  join  Brouillan,  Governor  of  Placentia, 
who  had  a  number  of  vessels  under  his  command.  The 
combined  force  was  to  effect  the  conquest  of  Newfound- 
land. 

6.  Before  his  arrival,  Brouillan  had  sailed  to  attack 
Ferryland.  On  his  way  he  met  a  solitary  English  man- 
of-war,  which  he  chased  into  the  Bay  of  Bulls.  Captain 
Cleasbv  was  its  commander,  and  he  determined  to 
defend  his  vessel  to  the  last.  The  gallant  captain 
placed  all  his  guns  on  the  broadside  next  the  enemy, 
and  fought  furiously  till  his  vessel  took  fire,  vhen  he 
escaped  to  the  shore.  The  Frenchmen  followed  him, 
and  he  and  his  men  had  to  surrender.  Ferryland  was 
then  destroyed  by  Brouillan.  D' Iberville  now  joined 
him,  and  a  strong  body  of  the  French  advanced  through 
the  woods,  and  made  an  attack  on  St.  John's,  in  the 
rear.  The  garrison  was  feeble,  and  in  want  of  military 
stores  and  provisions.  They  could  make  but  a  faint 
resistance,  and  St.  John's  was  captured  and  burned. 
The  garrison  and  principal  inhabitants  were  allowed  two 
ships  to  carry  them  to  England.  The  rest  made  their 
way  to  Carbonear  and  Bonavista.  D'Iberville  then 
followed  up  his  successes  by  destroying  all  the  English 
settlements  on  the  eastern  coast.  Carbonear,  however, 
where  the  descendants  of  Guy's  settlers  had  established 
themselves,  made  a  gallant  resistance,  and  beat  off  the 
enemy.     Bonavista,  also,  was  too  strong  for  him,  c*iid 


1697.] 


THE  FRENCH  IN  NEWFOUNDLAND. 


77 


made  an  equally  successful  resistance.  The  whole  of 
Newfoundland,  with  the  exception  of  these  two  places, 
was  now  in  the  hands  of  the  French. 

7.  As  soon  as  the  news  of  the  loss  of  Newfoundland 
reached  England  strong  preparations  were  made  for 
driving  out  the  invaders.  Before  an^'thing  effectual 
could  be  done  the  war  between  England  and  France 
was  brought  to  a  close  by  the  treaty  of  Ryswick,  signed 
on  the  20th  September,  1G97. 

8.  By  the  seventh  article  of  this  treaty  England  and 
France  agreed  to  mutually  restore  all  their  possessions 
in  North  America  which  had  changed  hands  during  the 
war.  Thus  the  French  were  reinstated  in  all  they  had 
lost,  and  all  the  bloodshed  and  sufferings  of  eight  years 
decided  nothing  as  to  who  should  be  masters  of  North 
America. 

9.  The  treaty,  in  its  effects,  was  most  injurious  to 
Newfoundland.  It  left  the  island,  as  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  war,  divided  between  the  English  and 
French ;  so  that,  if  war  should  be  renewed,  the  English 
settlements  were  as  liable  as  before  to  be  harassed  by 
the  attacks  of  the  French.  St.  John's,  and  the  other  set- 
tlements which  the  French  had  seized,  were  given  up. 
But  their  claims  on  Placentia,  and  all  other  positions  on 
the  south-west  coast,  were  recognized  and  confirmed. 
The  consequence  was  frequent  hostilities  and  renewed 
efforts  on  the  part  of  the  French  to  get  possession  of 
the  whole  island,  so  that  they  were  not  shaken  oft'  for 
some  years  to  come. 


ill 


78 


NOTES    AND   EXPLANATIONS. 


J(|;.,.   lit:.: 


,'  '"'' 


1 

il;. 

1' 

,  1    ,; 

i 

1? 

■ ) 

QUESTIONS   FOR    EXAMINATION   ON    CHAPTER   VIII. 

1,  Why  were  the  French  so  eager  to  get  possession  of  New- 
foundhmd? 

2.  What  privilege  did  the  French  obtain  in  Newfoundland 
in  16:55?  When  was  Placentia  founded?  What  fort  was  erected? 
What  gave  the  French  a  greater  hold  on  the  island? 

3*  Who  was  sent  to  check  French  encroachments,  and  wliat 
did  he  do? 

4.  When  did  Nesmond  invade  Newfoundland,  and  what  did 
he  accomplish? 

6»    What  orders  were  given  to  D'Iberville? 

O.  Describe  his  movement.  What  occurred  at  Bay  of  Bulls? 
What  was  the  fate  of  St.  John's?  What  two  places  resisted  the 
French  ? 

7.  By  what  treaty  was  the  war  ended,  and  when? 

8.  What  were  some  of  its  articles? 

9.  How  did  the  treaty  of  Ryswick  injure  Newfoundland? 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS.  — CHAPTER  VIII. 

Ryswick*  —  A  town  in  Holland,  three  miles  from  the  Hague.  In 
the  royal  palace  here  the  treaty  of  peace  was  signed  iu  1697.  The  par- 
ties to  it  were  England,  France,  Spain,  Holland,  and  Germany.  By  it 
Louis  XIV.  acknowledged  William  HI.  lawful  king  of  Great  Britain 
and  Ireland. 

Placentia^  on  the  bay  of  that  name,  on  the  southern  coast,  eighty 
miles  from  St.  John's. 

Bay  of  Bulls,  eighteen  miles  south  of  St.  John's.  ^ 

'',■>.',■.,'",. 
■- .     -  <  ^ 


1654.]     CONDITION  OF  THE  EARLY  SETTLERS. 


79 


CHAPTER  IX.  a       ; 

FROM    1654    TO    l-^aO.       ^-■.^,-,--,-^^\'ir::-^r^-.,_;.V- 

CONDITION  OF  THE  EARLY  SETTLERS.      " 

SLOW   PROGRESS    OF    THE    COLONY.  —  ITS    CAUSE.  —  UNJUST 

LAWS.  TYRANNY    BY     ACT     OF     PARLIAMENT.  THE 

FISHING   ADMIRALS.  —  OPPRESSION    OF   THE   WEAK.  — 
APPOINTMENT    OF   THE    FIRST   GOVERNOR. 

1,  While  the  population  of  the  New  England  colonies 
was  increasing  rapidl}',  that  of  Newfoundland  made  ver}- 
slow  progress,  though  its  settlement  was  of  much  earlier 
date.  In  1654,  seventy-one  years  after  the  arrival  of 
Sir  Humphrey  Gilbert,  the  island  contained  a  population 
of  only  350  families,  or  about  1.750  persons.  These 
were  distributed  in  fifteen  small  settlements  along  the 
eastern  shore.  The  principal  of  them  were  Torbay, 
Quidi  Vidi,  St.  John's,  Bay  of  Bulls,  Ferry  land,  Renewse, 
Aquaforte.  Twenty  years  later,  in  1680,  the  resident 
population  was  2,280.  In  eighteen  years  more,  these 
had  only  increased  to  2,640,  this  being  their  number  in 
the  year  1698.  It  must  be  remembered  that,  in  addition 
to  these,  there  was  a  large  floating  population  of  many 
thousands  who  frequented  the  shores  during  summer,  to 
carry  on  the  fisheries,  but  left  for  their  homes  at  the 
approach  of  winter.  In  1626  Devonshire  alone  sent 
150  vessels  to  the  cod-fishery. 

2.  But  why,  it  may  be  asked,  was  the  settlement  of 
the  island  so  slow?  The  climate  was  healthy,  the  soil 
repaid  cultivation,  the  fisheries  were  most  productive. 
Out  of  the  many  thousands  who  visited  it  how  came  it 


li 


f-f"^ 


80 


CONDITION  OF  THE  EARLY  SETTLERS.    [1654. 


II ; 


that  so  few  took  up  their  permauent  abode  in  the 
island  ? 

There  was  a  very  sufficient  reason  for  this,  which  we 
must  now  ex[)Uiin.  So  far  as  the  English  were  con- 
cerned, the  fisheries  had  been  carried  on  by  merchants, 
ship-owners,  and  traders  who  resided  in  the  west  of 
England.  They  sent  out  their  ships  and  fishing-crews 
to  Newfoundland  early  in  the  summer.  The  fish  caught 
were  salted  and  dried  ashore.  When  winter  approached 
the  fishermen  took  their  departure  for  England,  carrying 
with  them  whatever  portion  of  the  fish  had  not  been 
previously  shipped  for  foreign  markets.  These  English 
"  merchant-adventurers,"  as  they  were  called,  found  that 
it  was  for  their  interest  to  discourage  the  settlement  of 
the  country,  as  they  wished  to  retain  its  harbours  and 
coves  for  the  use  of  their  own  fishing  captains  and  ser- 
vants, while  engaged  in  curing  and  drying  the  fish. 
They  got,  at  length,  to  think  that  the  whole  island  was 
their  own,  and  that  any  one  who  settled  there  was  an 
interloper  who  should  be  driven  away.  They  actually 
thought  it  right  to  keep  an  island  larger  than  Ireland  in 
a  wilderness  condition,  in  order  that  they  might  use  its 
shores  for  drying  their  fish,  and  enjoy,  in  their  own 
country,  all  the  riches  thus  gathered. 

3.  But,  in  spite  of  all  their  efforts,  a  few  hardy,  ad- 
venturous persons  began  to  form  little  settlements  along 
the  shores.  The  island  had  strong  attractions  for  them, 
and  they  wanted  to  make  homes  for  themselves,  and 
combine  cultivation  of  the  land  with  fishing.  The  fish- 
ing-merchants and  ship-owners  took  the  alarm,  and  went 
to  war  with  these  settlers,  determined  to  root  them  out, 
or,  at  all  events,  to  keep  their  numbers  as  small  as  pos- 
sible. Being  wealthy  capitalists  they  had  great  influ- 
ence with  the  successive  English  governments  of  those 


1729.]     CONDI riON  OF  THE  EARLY  SETTLERS. 


81 


days,  while  tlie  poor  settlers  had  none.  They  were  able 
to  persuade  the  English  statesmen  and  people  that  the 
fisheries  would  be  ruined  if  a  resident  population  should 
be  allowed  to  grow  u[)  in  the  island,  and  the  fisheries 
would  no  longer  be  a  nursery  of  seamen  for  the  navy. 
Further,  they  misled  the  public  by  representing  the 
Island  as  hopelessly  barren,  and,  in  regard  to  its  soil  and 
climate,  unfit  for  human  habitation. 

4:.  In  this  way  it  came  about  that  unjust  and  inju- 
rious laws  were  enacted  by  the  P^nglish  government,  to 
prevent  the  settlement  of  the  island,  and  to  keep  it  for- 
ever in  the  degraded  condition  of  a  stage  for  drying  fish. 
These  laws  forbade  any  one  to  go  to  Newfoundland  as  a 
settler,  and  ordained  that  all  fishermen  should  return  to 
Ehj^iand  at  the  close  of  each  fishing  season.  Masters 
of  vessels  were  compelled  to  give  bonds  of  £100,  bind- 
ing them  to  bring  back  each  year  such  persons  as  they 
took  out.  Settlement  within  six  miles  of  the  coast  was 
prohibited  under  heavy  penalties.  No  one  could  culti- 
vate or  enclose  the  smallest  piece  of  ground,  or  even 
repair  a  house,  without  license,  which  was  rarely  granted. 
This  oppressive  policy  was  maintained  for  more  than 
a  hundred  years. 

5.  Notwithstanding  these  hardships  and  discourage- 
ments the  sturdy  settlers  held  their  ground,  and  slowly 
but  steadily  increased  in  numbers.  Between  them  and 
their  oppressors  a  bitter  antipathj^  sprang  up,  and  it  is  not 
wonderful  that  it  should  have  been  so.  There  must  have 
been  among  these  settlers  a  manly,  independent  spirit. 
Had  there  not  been  among  them  men  possessing  much 
vigour  of  character  and  solid  worth,  they  could  not  have 
carried  on  the  contest  so  bravely  against  the  fishing  capi- 
talists, and  at  last  conquered  them,  and  won  their  free- 
dom.     The   conflict,   however,    was  very   trying,    and 


! 


H2 


CONDITION  OF  THE  EARLY  SETTLERS.    [1654. 


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greatly  retarded  the  progress  of  the  colony,  entailing 
terrible  sufferings  on  men  who  were  kept  outside  tlie 
paie  of  law,  and  without  any  civilizing  influences. 
Finding  their  own  fishery  declining,  while  that  carried 
on  by  the  settlers  was  increasing,  in  1670,  the  merchant- 
adventurers  applied  to  the  Lords  of  Trade  and  Planta- 
tions, and  declared  that  unless  the  settlers  were  removed 
the  fisheries  would  be  destroyed.  These  Lords  of  Trade 
immediately  sent  out  Sir  John  Berry,  a  naval  officer, 
with  ordeis  to  drive  out  the  fishermen  and  burn  their 
dwellings. 

6.  This  barbarous  edict  was  not  revoked  for  six  years. 
Though  it  was  not  strictly  carried  into  effect,  owing  to 
the  humane  spirit  of  Sir  John  Berry,  yet  it  gave  the 
mercantile  monopolists  such  an  advantage  that,  soon 
after,  they  had  270  vessels  and  11,000  men  engaged  in 
the  fisheries.  When  the  decree  to  burn  and  drive  away 
was  recalled,  strict  orders  were  given  that  no  further 
emigration  to  the  doomed  island  should  be  allowed.  At 
length  the  Lords  of  Trade  relaxed  so  far  as  to  allow 
one  thousand  persons  to  reside  in  Newfoundland,  as 
they  might  be  useful  in  building  boats  and  fishing  stages, 
and  taking  care  of  property.  The  repressive  policy 
reached  its  height  when  a  certain  Major  Elford,  lieu- 
tenant-governor at  St.  John's,  very  strongly  urged  the 
ministers  of  the  day  "  to  allow  no  woman  to  land  in 
the  island,  and  that  means  should  be  adopted  to  remove 
those  who  were  there."  It  does  not  appear  that  any 
one  tried  to  carry  out  this  sweeping  proposal. 

7.  As  years  rolled  on,  though  the  settlers  were  in- 
creasing in  numbers  and  importance,  they  were  as  much 
as  ever  at  the  tender  mercies  of  the  merchants.  One 
of  the  enactments  of  the  notable  Star  Chamber,  in  the 
reign  of  Charles  I.,  was,  that  if  a  person  in  Newfound- 


1729.]     CONDITION  OF  THE  EARLY  SETTLERS. 


83 


land  killed  another,  or  stole  the  value  of  forty  shillings, 
the  offender  was  to  be  sent  to  England,  and,  on  convic- 
tion of  eitiier  offence,  to  be  hanged.  Another  law  was 
that  the  master  of  the  tirst  ship  entering  a  harbour  was 
to  be  admiral  for  the  season,  and  magistrate  of  the  dis- 
trict, with  unlimited  power  to  decide  all  (juestions  re- 
garding property  and  all  other  disputes.  Thus  arose 
government  by  the  Fishing  Admirals,  perhaps  the  most 
absurd  and  tyrannical  pretence  at  the  administration 
of  justice  ever  put  in  practice. 

8.  In  1GU8,  in  the  reign  of  William  III.,  this  arrange- 
ment was  confirmed  and  extended  in  an  act  passed  by 
the  British  parliament.  In  this  statute,  which  long 
obstructed  all  improvement  in  the  country,  it  was  or- 
dained that  the  master  of  a  vessel  arriving  first  in  a 
harbour  was  to  be  admiral  for  the  season,  and  was 
allowed  to  take  as  much  of  the  beach  as  he  chose,  for 
his  own  use.  The  masters  of  the  second  and  third 
vessels  arriving  at  the  same  harbour  were  to  be  vice- 
admiral  and  rear-admiral,  with  similar  privileges.  No 
attention  was  paid  to  tlie  qualifications  of  these  admirals. 
The  first  rude,  ignorant  skipper  who  made  a  short 
passage  was  absolute  ruler  for  the  season.  They  were 
the  servants  of  the  merchants,  and  therefore  personally 
interested  in  questions  of  property  that  arose.  They 
were  the  enemies  of  the  poor  residents,  whom  they  wanted 
to  trample  out 

9.  The  triumph  of  the  merchants  over  their  fellow- 
8u])jects  in  this  lone  isle  was  now  as  complete  as  that 
of  a  warrior  who  storms  a  city.  Their  servants,  the 
Fishing  Admirals,  took  possession  of  the  best  fishing- 
stations,  drove  out  the  inhabitants  from  their  own 
houses,  gardens,  and  fishing-grounds ;  took  bribes  when 
determining  cases,  and  carried  on,  for  long  years,  a  sys- 


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CONDITION  OF  THE  EARLY  SETTLERS.     [1654- 


tem  of  robbery  and  oppression.  All  accounts  agree  in 
representing  them  as  at  once  knaves  and  tyrants, 
though  no  doubt  there  were  individual  exceptions. 

10.  In  vain  did  the  resident  people,  groaning  under 
the  lash  of  these  petty  tyrants,  petition  the  Lords  of 
Trade,  and  lay  before  them  their  grievances.  The 
merchants  were  able  to  get  their  petitions  thrown  aside 
with  contempt.  Again  and  again  they  asked  for  the 
appointment  of  a  governor  to  regulate  the  affairs  of 
the  island.  That,  of  all  others,  was  a  measure  the  mer- 
chants and  ship-owners  dreaded.  It  might  disturb  their 
pleasant  monopoly,  and  weaken  their  control  over  the 
fisheries.  A  governor  might  take  the  part  of  the  set- 
tlers ;  and  they  stoutly  resisted  his  appointment.  What 
they  wanted  was,  as  one  of  their  own  party  expressed 
it,  "  that  Newfoundland  should  always  be  considered 
as  a  great  English  ship,  moored  near  the  Banks,  during 
the  fishing  season,  for  the  convenience  of  English  fisher- 
men." 

11,  During  this  hard  struggle  the  lot  of  these  poor 
fishermen  must  have  been  very  bitter.  It  is  not  won- 
derful to  find  that  numbers  of  them,  utterlv  disheart- 
ened,  escaped  to  America,  and  there  aided  materially 
in  building  up  the  New  England  fisheries.  In  their 
little  wood  u  hamlets,  sprinkled  along  the  sea-margin, 
their  outlook  was  dreary  enough.  They  had  but  a  bare 
subsistence.  They  had  no  schools  for  their  children,  and 
no  ministers  of  religion  among  them.  All  around  were 
the  dense  woods,  extending  to  the  sea-shcre,  with  a  few 
paths  cut  through  them.  Before  them  was  the  great 
ocean,  from  which  alone  they  were  permitted  to  draw 
their  means  of  subsistence.  Their  treatment  was  so 
harsh  that  if,  in  these  days,  the  inmates  of  a  prison  or  a 
workhouse  were  to  be  treated  in  like  fashion,  the  public 


1729.]     CONDITION  OF  THE   EARLY  SETTLERS. 


85 


would  raise  a  sliout  of  iiuliguation.  How  could  they 
advance  iu  any  of  the  arts  of  civilized  life  ?  They  still 
held  on,  however ;  and,  conscious  that  they  had  right  on 
their  side,  they  courageously  resisted  their  selfish  op- 
pressors. The  day  of  deliverance  at  last  dawned.  The 
British  government  at  length  found  out  that  they  had 
been  misled  and  deceived  by  the  representations  of  in- 
terested, selfish  men,  both  in  regard  to  the  country  and 
its  fisheries.  Restrictions  on  the  settlement  of  the  isl- 
and were  slowly  removed  one  after  another.  The 
obnoxious  statute  of  William  III.  was,  however,  left  un- 
repealed, and  greatly  hindered  improvements.  It  was 
not  till  less  than  eighty  years  ago  that  the  last  of  these 
unjust  laws  was  repealed,  and  people  were  allowed  to 
[)osse8s  land  and  build  houses,  and  take  some  steps  tow- 
ards self-government. 

12.  The  change  for  the  better  was  brought  about  by 
the  commodores  and  captains  of  the  royal  ships,  which 
were  periodically  appointed  to  this  station.  They  saw 
the  terrible  injustice  which  was  inflicted  on  a  patient, 
inoffensive  people.  One  of  them,  named  Lord  Vere 
Beauclerk,  a  clear-headed,  benevolent  nobleman,  made 
such  strong  representations  to  the  Board  of  Trade  that 
they  appointed  Capt.  Henry  Osborne  to  be  the  first 
governor  of  Newfoundland.  The  merchants  protested 
against  the  appointment,  but  in  vain.  The  new  gov- 
ernor arrived  in  1729. 

13.  A  new  era  now  began.  Newfoundland,  for  the 
first  time,  was  recognized  as  a  British  Colony.  Though 
the  Fishing  Admirals  were  not  abolished  till  long  t'fter- 
wards,  they  were  now  under  control,  and  their  power 
was  more  limited.  The  sufferings  of  the  people  were 
not  ended,  but  they  were  diminished.  The  naval  gov- 
ernment of  the  island,  under  admirals  and  captains  of 


1  ,' 


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86 


QUESTIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION 


I   iiEl.i 


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the  British  navy,  now  began,  and  was  continued  for 
many  years.  It  was  far  from  being  the  most  desirable 
way  of  governing  a  colony  ;  but  it  was  a  great  improve- 
ment on  anything  yet  enjoyed.  The  new  system  at 
least  prepared  the  way  for  a  local  civil  government,  and 
finally  for  political  freedom.  In  1729,  when  the  first 
governor  arrived,  the  resident  population  had  grown  to 
be  six  thousand  strong. 

14.  Whatever  may  have  been  tlie  wrongs  inflicted 
on  the  early  settlers,  we  should  clearly  understand  that 
no  man  or  body  of  men,  now  living,  should  be  held 
accountable  for  what  was  done  in  those  distant  days. 
The  injustice  of  former  ages  has  happily  been  rectified. 
The  merchants  and  capitalists  of  to-day  are  men  of  a 
very  different  spirit  and  are  in  a  very  different  position 
from  those  who  once  carried  on  the  fisheries  from 
England.  They  have  no  connection  with  old  oppressions. 
Between  them  and  the  people  of  to-day  the  relations  are 
cordial  and  friendly.  Both  can  now  unite  for  the  ad- 
vancement of  their  common  country.  Resentments  and 
animosities  between  the  two  classes  are,  happily,  things 
of  the  past. 


;  QUESTIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION  ON  CHAPTER  IX. 

1.  Give  the  population  of  Newfoundland  in  1654;  1680;  1698. 
Did  many  come  from  England  annually? 

2.  How  did  English  merchants  carry  on  the  fishery?  Wiiy 
did  they  oppose  the  settlement  of  the  island?  In  what  state  did 
they  wish  it  kept?  /  '.     '^:     ■-■   -"V^i 

3.  How  did  the  merchants  persuade  the  English  government 
to  prevent  people  from  settling? 

4-  What  did  the  unjust  laws  forbid  in  order  to  prevent  settle- 
ment?    How  long  did  these  laws  continue  in  force? 

6.  Did  any  persons  make  homes  for  themselves?  AVhat 
shows  their  vigour  of  character?     Wliat  hardships  had  they  to 


!  .' '. 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


87 


endure?    What  order  was  issued  in  1670?    By  whom?    Who  was 
to  carry  it  out? 

6.  What  prevented  its  full  operation?  How  long  was  it  till 
its  revocation?  What  advantage  did  the  merchants  gain?  What 
compromise  was  allowed?  What  proposal  about  women  was  after- 
wards issued? 

7.  Mention  one  of  the  laws  about  criminals  in  the  reign  of 
Charles  I.  How  did  the  authority  of  the  Fishing  Admirals 
arise? 

8.  What  did  the  Act  of  William  HI.  establish?  Why  was 
the  arrangement  unjust? 

9.  How  did  the  Fishing  Admirals  behave?  What  was  their 
character? 

10«  Describe  the  sufferings  of  the  resident  population. 
What  did  they  ask  for?  Why  did  the  merchants  oppose  a  gov- 
ernor?   What  use  did  they  want  to  make  of  the  island? 

11.  What  was  the  condition  of  the  settlers?  What  did  the 
British  government  at  length  discover?    What  was  done? 

12.  How  did  the  change  for  the  better  come  about?  Who 
was  the  first  governor,  and  what  the  date  of  his  appointment? 

13.  Were  the  Fishing  Admirals  abolished?  What  was  the 
benefit  of  the  new  government? 

14.  Is  any  one  now  living  to  be  held  accountable  for  the 
wrongs  of  the  past? 


MAP  QUESTIONS.  —  CHAPTERS  VIII.  AND  IX. 

Where  is  Placentia?    Bay  of  Bulls?    Carbonear?    Bonavista? 
Describe  the  position  of  Ryswick.     (See  note,  Chapter  VIII.) 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS. —CHAPTER  IX. 

Lords  of  Trade  and  Plantations.  —This  Board  was  created  to 
take  charge  of  the  colonies  in  America,  but  was  of  no  service  to  them, 
la  one  of  his  speeches  in  the  House  of  Commons,  Burke  said  of  it : 
"This  Board  is  a  sort  of  temperate  bed  of  influence,  —  a  sort  of  gently- 
ripening  hot-house, — where  eight  members  of  Parliament  receive  sala- 
ries of  a  thousand  a  year  for  a  given  time,  in  order  to  mature,  at  a 
proper  season,  a  claim  to  two  thousand,  granted  for  doing  less,  and  on 


88 


CHRONOLOGY. 


the  credit  of  havini:^  toiled  so  lon^  in  the  inferior  laborious  department." 
"  It  is  a  Board  which,  if  not  minchievoua,  ia  of  no  use  at  ally 

This  Board  issued  the  inhunaan  order  to  Sir  John  Berry  to  burn  the 
houses  of  the  residents  in  Newfoundland  and  drive  out  the  settlers.  In 
1676,  six  years  after,  John  Downing,  a  resident,  by  his  strong  appeals, 
succeeded  in  procuring  an  order  from  the  king  to  annul  it.  Sir  Joshua 
Childs,  the  principal  merchant  connected  with  the  fisheries  in  England, 
was  the  means  of  procuring  this  barbarous  edict  from  the  Lords  of  Trade. 
He  must  have  realized  much  wealth  from  the  fisheries,  for,  when  his 
daughter  married  the  eldest  son  of  the  Duke  of  Beaufort,  he  gave  her  a 
poi'tion  of  £r)0,0{K).  He  had  fish-ponds  in  Epping  Forest,  "  many  miles  in 
circuit."    He  was  also  engaged  in  the  East  India  trade. 


^%M 


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•I 


CHRONOLOGICAL  SUMMARY.  —FROM  1600  TO  1700. 

A.D. 

1593.   Richard  Apsham's  expedition  to  Newfoundland. 
1603.   James  I.,  King  of  England. 

1607.  Jamestown  founded  in  Virginia. 

1608.  Quebec  founded  by  Champlain. 

1609.  Hudson  River  discovered  by  Henry  Hudson. 

1610.  Guy's  settlement  in  Conception  Bay. 

1613.  First  child  of  European  parents  born  in  Newfoundland. 

1615.  Whitbourne's  commission  to  Newfoundland. 

1618.  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  beheaded. 

1620.  Landing  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  in  New  England. 

1623.  Sir  George  Calvert's  patent  for  colonization  of  Newfound- 
.  -i  land. 

1625.  Charles  I.,  King  of  England. 

1630.  Arrival  of  first  Irish  settlers  in  Newfoundland. 

1636.  Rhode  Island  Colony  founded. 

1638.  Sir  David  Kirk's  patent  in  Newfoundland. 
Connecticut  founded. 

1641.  Montreal  founded  by  the  Jesuit  Fathers. 

1642.  Civil  War  in  England  between  Charles  I.  and  the  Parlia- 

ment. ^    ^,;.:,  .„;.„.,  - 

\W6.   Louis  XIV.,  King  of  France.  "   .; ,; 

Union  of  the  New  England  Colonies. 
1645.   Battle  of  Naseby.  —  Close  of  the  Civil  War. 
1649.   Execution  of  Charles  I. 


KMINENT  PERSONS. 


89 


1668.    Death  of  Cromwell. 

1660.   Placentia  founded  by  the  French. 

Charles  II.,  King  of  England. 
1665.    Great  Plague  of  London. 

1670.    Sir  John  Berry   ordered  to  destroy  settlements  in  New- 
foundland. 
1673.    Marquette  and  Joliet's  discovery  of  the  Mississippi. 
1679.   Habeas-corpus  Act. 
1685.   James  II.,  King  of  England. 

1688.  English  Revolution, — Expulsion  of  the  Stuarts. 

1689.  William  III.  and  Mary,  Sovereigns  of  England. 

1696.  Nesmond's  Repulse  at  St.  John's,  Newfoundland. 
First  capture  of  St.  John's  by  the  French. 

1697.  Treaty  of  Ryswick. 


EMINENT  PERSONS  FROM  1600  TO  1700. 

Ben  Jonson ;  Massinger ;  Jeremy  Taylor ;  Milton ;  Locke ; 
Moliere ;  Kepler ;  Sir  Isaac  Newion ;  Turenne ;  Bayle ;  Dryden ; 
Bunyan ;  Reubens ;  Vandyke ;  Inigo  Jones ;  Sir  Christopher 
Wren. 


T^^^PK" 


90 


EFFORTS   TO  CONQUER  NEWFOUNDLAND.  [1697. 


CHAPTER  X. 


FRO]»I    1697    TO    17»4. 


!'  i' 


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Ilii 


ite' 


liliii 


RENEWED  EFFORTS  OF  THE  FRENCH  TO  CONQUER 

NE  WFO  UNDLA  ND. 

TREATY  OP  UTRECHT. — DISPUTES  CONNECTED  WITH  IT. — 
CONFLICT  BETWEEN  THE  GOVERNORS  AND  FISHING 
ADMIRALS.  —  COMMISSION    OF    OYER    AND    TERMINER. 

1,  We  must  now  take  up  the  history  of  the  island 
from  the  treaty  of  Kyswick,  in  1697.  The  thirty  years 
which  followed  constituted  the  darkest  and  dreariest 
period  in  the  experience  of  the  oppressed  settlers. 
Their  difficulties  and  sufferings  were  such  that  it  seems 
marvellous  that  they  were  not  driven  to  settle  in  some 
more  favorable  region,  and  to  abandon  in  despair  the 
effort  to  make  homes  for  themselves  in  Newfoundland. 

2.  The  peace  between  England  and  France,  secured 
by  the  treaty  of  Ryswick,  was  of  short  duration.  In 
1702,  in  the  commencement  of  Queen  Anne's  reign,  war 
recommenced.  The  French  were  strongly  established  in 
Placentia  and  other  places  along  the  southern  shore. 
From  these  centres  they  carried  on  their  fisheries  round 
the  island,  and  greatly  interfered  with  the  English  and 
resident  fishermen.  Captain  Leake,  a  distinguished 
naval  officer,  was  sent  to  check  their  encroachments. 
He  destroved  several  of  their  settlements  on  the  southern 
shore,  and  dismantled  their  fortifications  at  the  Island 
of  St.  Pierre ;  but  he  left  them  still  in  possession  of 
their  chief  stronghold,  Placentia.  An  unsuccessful 
attempt  was  made  to  reduce  this  place  in  the  following 


ilii 


1754.]  EFFORTS    TO  VONQVFR  NEWFOUNDLAND. 


Dl 


year.  Then  the  French  became  bolder  and  more  con- 
fident, and  at  length  determined  to  seize  the  whole 
island.  Thev  attacked  St.  John's,  but  were  there  re- 
pulsed.  Then  the}'  assailed  the  smaller  settlements,  burn- 
ing and  destroying,  inflicting  great  miseries  on  the 
people  and  carrying  off  a  number  of  them  as  prisoners. 
Under  the  protection  of  their  war-vessels,  they  carried 
on  their  fisheries  in  the  northern  harbours.  A  force  was 
organized  in  St.  John's  which  made  a  successful  raid 
upon  these  French  war-ships  and  captured  six  out  of 
ten  of  them.  Two  years  after,  in  1708,  the  French,  in 
the  middle  of  winter,  despatched  a  force  from  Placentia, 
which  landed  within  fifteen  miles  of  St.  John's,  marched 
overland,  surprised  the  unprepared  garrison,  and  capt- 
ured the  place.  Then  they  assailed  Carbonear ;  but 
once  more,  the  brave  defenders  beat  off  the  French. 
Newfoundland  was  now,  for  a  time,  lost  to  the  British 
empire. 

3,  But  if  the  arras  of  France  were  successful  in  these 
petty  conflicts  they  sustained  terrible  reverses  on  the 
continent  of  Europe.  In  four  great  battles,  the  famous 
English  commander,  the  Duke  of  Marlborough,  so 
shattered  the  military  power  of  France,  that  Louis  XIV. 
was  glad  to  accept  terms  of  peace  on  terms  very  disad- 
vantageous to  himself.  This  war  was  brought  to  a 
close  by  the  celebrated  treaty  of  Utrecht  (pronounced 
()-o-trekt) ,  which  marks  a  very  important  era  in  the  history 
of  Newfoundland.  By  the  provisions  of  this  treaty  the 
French  agreed  to  surrender  all  their  possessions  iji  New- 
foundland and  the  adjacent  islands,  and  to  retire  from 
Placentia.  Thus  the  sovereignty  of  the  whole  island 
was  secured  to  England. 

4.  But,  though  the  French  had  no  longer  any  territo- 
rial rights,  unfortunately  for  the  peace  and  prosperity 


:iii 


Si'i 


% 


i 


HiS 


li;. 


ii, 


I' 


92         EFFORTS   TO  CONQUER  NEWFOUNDLAND.  [1097- 


of  the  colony  this  treaty  gave  them  the  right  of  fishing 
and  curing  fish  on  tlie  western  and  northern  shores  of 
the  island.  Thus  the  people  were  doomed  still  to  be 
hindered  in  their  industrial  labours  by  the  presence  of 
the  i^'rench,  when  it  would  have  been  an  easy  matter,  in 
drawing  up  the  treaty,  to  get  rid  of  them  entirely,  and 
make  the  island  truly  an  undivided  possession  of  Eng- 
land. The  piivilege  thus  given  to  the  French  has  led 
to  disputes,  which  are  not  settled  to  this  day.  The 
French  have  ever  since  tried  to  maintain  that  the  treaty 
gave  them  the  sole  right  of  fishing  along  a  certain  part 
of  the  coast,  and  therefore  that  Newfoundland  fisher- 
men had  no  right  to  fish  in  these  waters.  On  the  other 
hand,  Newfoundland  denies  that  any  such  exclusive  right 
was  given  by  the  treaty,  and  holds  that  her  people  have 
a  right  to  fish  concurrently,  or  side  by  side  with  the 
French,  so  long  as  thej*^  do  not  interrupt  their  fishing 
operations. 

6.  England  has  never  admitted  the  exclusive  right  of 
the  French  to  these  fisheries.  In  order,  however,  to 
preserve  peace,  she  has  discouraged  Newfoundland  fish- 
ermen from  going  on  this  portion  of  the  coast,  leaving 
the  whole  question  unsettled  from  generation  to  gen- 
eration. The  consequences  have  been  most  injurious  to 
Newfoundland.  Her  people  have  been  virtually'  ex- 
cluded from  the  best  portion  of  the  island,  which  has  been 
left  in  a  wilderness  state  ;  and  they  could  neither  prose- 
cute the  fisheries  there,  nor  settle  the  lands,  or  carry  on 
mining  or  other  industries. 

6.  In  spite  of  all  these  difficulties  people  began  to 
settle  on  that  portion  of  the  coast  where  the  French 
had  these  fishing-privileges.  They  continued  to  in- 
crease, year  after  year,  and  at  length  numbered  nearly 
nine   thousand  persons.      They   were   without  laws  or 


\W  ' 


nr>i,]  EFFORTS   TO  CONQUER  NEWFOUNDLAND. 


93 


magistrates  ;  without  roads,  schools,  or  any  civilizing  in- 
fluences. At  last  the  coudition  of  these  outlaws  could 
no  longer  be  overlooked.  The  British  government,  only 
so  lately  as  1878,  permitted  magistrates  to  be  appointed, 
and  custom-houses  built.  Four  years  later  they  allowed 
the  local  government  to  issue  grants  of  land  and  licenses 
for  mining.  They  also  permitted  the  people  to  elect 
two  representatives  to  the  House  of  Assembly.  Thus 
the  shadowy  claims  of  the  French  to  control  the  land 
were  forever  set  aside.  This  was  a  most  important  step, 
as  it  incorporated  this  region  with  the  rest  of  the  island, 
and  placed  it  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  local  govern- 
ment, giving  the  people  the  rights  of  citizens.  The 
only  question  now  awaiting  settlement  has  reference  to 
the  "exclusive"  and  "concurrent"  right.  There  is 
reason  to  hope  that  this  too  will  be  satisfactorily  ar- 
ranged. Then  "  the  French  Shore  Question,"  as  it  is 
called,  will  be  finally  disposed  of. 

7.  We  saw,  at  the  close  of  last  chapter,  how  the 
British  government,  in  1729,  at  length  appointed  a 
governor  of  the  island  in  the  person  of  Captain  Henry 
Osborne.  This  step  greatly  alarmed  the  merchants, 
lest  it  might  interfere  with  their  profitable  and  uncon- 
trolled dominion  over  the  people  and  the  fisheries. 
Accordingly,  they  set  themselves  vigorously  to  work 
to  counteract  the  measure,  and  to  prevent  any  lawful 
authority  from  taking  root  in  the  country.  They  con- 
tinued to  support  the  tyrannical  jurisdiction  of  the  de- 
tested Fishing  Admirals,  and  refused  to  recognize  the 
newly  appointed  authority. 

8.  Captain  Osborne,  on  his  arrival,  proceeded  to 
divide  the  island  into  districts,  and  appoint  justices  of 
the  peace,  selected  from  the  best  classes  of  the  people, 
with   constables    under   them.     The   Fishing   Admirals 


i  -r 


94 


EFFORTS   TO  CONQUER  NEWFOUNDLAND.  [1697- 


I' .  t 


:!fw< 

1 

,  Sf  l:g'   ; '  ■  |]'- 

'  iisi 

■    !' 

%    :   i;    'I; 


fiercely  opposed  the  exercise  of  authority  by  these  jus- 
tices, and  declared  their  appointment  was  illegal.  They 
told  the  people  the  justices  were  usurpers,  and  endeav- 
oured to  bring  them  into  contempt. 

9,  Unfortunately,  the  new  system  had  been  intro- 
duced by  "  an  order  in  Council,"  whereas  the  Fishing 
Admirals  claimed  that  they  had  been  appointed  by  an 
Act  of  Parliament,  and,  therefore,  had  superior  au- 
thority. The  conflict  between  the  two  went  on  for 
nearly  fifty  years,  the  governors  sustaining  the  justices, 
and  the  West  Country  merchants  backing  the  Fishing 
Admirals.  The  good  efl:'ects  of  the  appointment  of  a 
governor  were  thus  greatly  impeded.  Besides,  he  only 
resided  in  the  colony  about  three  or  four  months  in  each 
year,  returning  to  England  in  October.  It  was  not  till 
1818  that  a  resident  governor  was  appointed. 

10,  Thus,  for  another  half  century  the  people  had 
to  suffer  imder  cruel  misrule.  It  was  then,  indeed,  no 
longer  illegal  to  settle  in  the  country ;  but  still  no  per- 
mission was  yet  given  to  cultivate  the  soil,  and  no  stage 
could  be  erected  for  handling  fish  by  the  residents  till 
their  lords  and  masters  from  England  had  been  accom- 
modated. Besides,  the  fishermen  were  so  poor  that  they 
had  to  obtain  advances  in  provisions  and  clothing,  at 
very  high  prices,  at  the  beginning  of  each  fishing-season, 
and  at  the  close  to  pay  for  them  in  fish,  the  price  of 
which  was  fixed  by  the  supplier.  Thus  arose  the 
"supplying  system,"  which  kept  the  fishermen  con- 
stantly in  debt  and  dependence.  The  adherents  of  the 
old  system  never  ceased  their  attacks  on  the  new,  and 
were  constantly  petitioning  the  home  authorities  to  have 
it  altered  or  extinguished.  But  the  British  government 
were  firm  in  their  refusal  to  withdraw  the  small  measure 
of  civil  government  granted  to  the  colony.     The  right 


1754.] 


QUESTIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION. 


95 


prevailed.  Slowly,  and  step  by  step,  improvements 
came.  The  resident  population  increased  in  numbers 
and  influence.  The  Fishing  Admirals  and  their  sup- 
porters saw  it  was  useless  to  continue  the  conflict,  and 
at  length  they  and  their  claims  to  authority  fell  into  well- 
merited  contempt,  and  passed  into  oblivion. 

11,  The  year  1750  witnessed  another  important  step 
in  the  extension  of  civil  government  in  the  Island. 
Hitherto  all  criminals  had  to  be  sent  to  England  for 
trial.  Witnesses  had  also  to  procee'^  there,  at  great  ex- 
pense and  inconvenience.  Justice  was  often  defeated, 
and  great  hardships  endured.  Successive  governors 
had  pointed  out  this  evil.  At  length,  in  1750,  Captain 
Drake,  the  governor,  was  authorized  to  establish  a 
court  in  which  all  criminal  cases  could  be  tried  within 
the  bounds  of  the  colony.  Those  who  presided  in  this 
court  were  called  "Commissioners  of  Oyer  and  Ter- 
miner." 

12.  In  1754  the  representative  of  the  Baltimore 
family  presented  a  claim  to  be  put  in  possession  of  the 
province  of  Avalon,  on  the  strength  of  the  original 
grant  of  1623,  to  the  first  Lord  Baltimore.  The  appli- 
cation was  rejected  by  the  law  officers  of  the  Crown, 
on  the  ground  that  the  Baltimore  family  had  not  held 
possession  for  130  years,  and  that  later  grants  had  set 
their  claim  aside.     No  more  was  beard  of  the  matter. 


QUESTIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION  ON   CHAPTER  X. 

1 ,  What  was  the  condition  of  the  resident  people  for  thirty 
years  after  the  treaty  of  Ryswick? 

2.  When  did  war  recommence?  Where  were  the  French 
eHtablished  in  the  island?  Who  was  sent  to  remove  them,  and 
what  did  he  do?  Describe  the  movements  of  the  French.  What 
did  war-ships  from  St.  John's  accomplish  at  the  North?     When 


^ 


96 


NOTEH  AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


■i<  1 


was  St.  John's  taken  the  second  time  by  the  French,  and  how? 
What  of  Carbonear? 

3.  What  led  to  the  treaty  of  Utrecht?  What  were  its  pro- 
visions as  regards  Newfoundhand? 

4.  What    fishing  privileges  did  the  French   acquire  by    the 
treaty  of  Utrecht?     What   have  been   the   injurious   effects   of 
giving  the  French  such  privileges?     What  do  the  Frencli  claim 
by  this  treaty?     What  is  the  viow  of  Newfoundland  on  this  point? 

6.  What  has  England  do  in  connection  with  these  privi- 
leges?    What  injury  has   the  colony  suffered? 

O.  In  what  state  were  people  living  on  the  so-called  "  French 
Shore"?  When  were  magistrates  first  appointed  there?  When 
were  the  people  there  allowed  to  send  representatives?  When 
were  land  grants  allowed?     What  important  change  is  thus  made? 

7.  Who  supported  the  Fishing  Admirals  against  the  governors? 

8.  What  improvements  did  Captain  Osborne  effect? 

9.  What  advantage  had  the  Fishing  Admirals  in  the  contest? 
How  long  did  it  last?  Did  governors  live  in  the  if  r.nd?  When 
was  the  first  resident  governor  appointed? 

r.  O,  Describe  the  condition  of  the  people  at  this  time.  How 
did  the  "  supplying  system  "  arise?  What  were  its  effects?  What 
was  the  end  of  the  Fishing  Admirals? 

11.  What  great  improvement  camo  in  1750? 

12.  What  claim  did  the  Baltimore  family  make?  Why  was 
it  refused? 


MAP  QUESTIONS. 

Describe  the  position  of  the  island  of  St.  Pierre.  Of  Utrecht 
(see note).  On  what  part  of  the  coast  have  the  French  fishing, 
privileges  in  Newfoundland? 


I  I 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS.  — CHAPTER  X. 

French  Claims.  —  Lord  Palmerston's  note  to  Count  Sebastiani, 
the  French  ambassador,  in  1838,  on  the  subject  of  the  French  claims  to 
an  exclusive  fishing  right  in  Newfoundland,  may  be  regarded  as  conclu- 
sive. In  it  he  says  :  "The  British  (lovernraent  has  never  understood  the 
declaration  to  have  had  for  its  object  to  deprive  the  British  subje  ts  of 
the  right  to  participate  with  the  French  in  taking  fish  at  sea  off  that 
coast,  provided  they  did  so  without  interrupting  tlie  French  cod-fishery." 


!  '.•:' 


TT^ 


CHRONOLOGY. 


97 


He  further  states  that  in  no  p\iblic  document  or  Act  of  Parliament  "  does 
it  appear  that  the  right  of  French  subjects  to  an  exchisive  fishery,  either 
of  codfish  or  fish  generally,  is  specifically  I'ecognized." 

Utrecht  is  the  capital  of  the  Dutch  province  of  that  name,  which  lies 
between  Holland,  Gelderland,  and  the  Zuyder-Zee.  The  city  is  divided 
into  two  parts  by  the  Rhine.  At  the  British  minister's  house  in  Utrecht, 
in  1713,  was  signed  the  treaty  which  ended  "  the  War  of  the  Spanish 
Succession,"  or,  as  it  is  called  in  America,  **  Queen  Anne's  War."  The 
Duke  of  Marlborough's  great  victories  were  Blenheim  (17v)4)  ;  Ramilies 
(1706) ;  Oudenarde  (1708) ;  Malplaquet  (1709). 


CHRONOLOGICAL  SUMMARY,  1700  TO  17C0. 

A.D. 

1702.  Anne  Queen  of  England. 

1704.  Gibraltar  taken  by  the  English. 
Battle  of  Blenheim. 

1707.  Union  of  English  and  Scottish  Parliaments. 

1708.  Second  Capture  of  St.  John's  by  the  F'rench. 

1713.  Treaty  of  Utrecht. 

1714.  George  I.,  King  of  England. 

1715.  Louis  XV.,  King  of  France. 
1725.  Death  of  Peter  the  Great. 
1727.  George  IL,  King  of  England. 

1729.  Captain  Henry  Osborne  first  governor  of  Newfoundland. 

1733.  Colony  of  Georgia  founded. 

1745.  Louisburg  taken  by  the  English  under  Pepperel  and  Warren. 

1748.  Peace  of  Aix-la-Chapelle ;  Louisburg  restored  to  the  French. 

1750.  Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer  established  in  Newfoundland. 

1759.  Quebec  taken  by  Wolfe. 

1760.  George  III.,  King  of  England. 


EMINENT  PERSONS,   FROM  1700  TO  17'^0. 

Sir  Robert  Walpole ;  William  Pitt ;  Swift ;  Pc^)" ;  Hume ;  De- 
foe ;  Gibbon  ;  Voltaire ;  Rousseau ;  Montesquieu  ;  Franklin ;  Maria 
Theresa  Wesley;  Whitfield;  Johnson;  Goldsmith;  Franklin; 
Wolfe. 


T^ 


98 


''THE  SEVEN  YEARS'    WAR." 


[1756. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

FROAI  1T56  TO  1775. 

"  THE  SEVEN   YEARS'    WAR." 


CAPITULATION  OF    LOUISBURG    AND    QUEBEC.  —  CAPTURE  OF 

ST.  John's  by  the  French.  —  their   expulsion. — 

TREATY  OF  PARIS.  —  LABRADOR  ADDED  TO  NEW- 
FOUNDLAND. —  INTRODUCTION  OF  CUSTOMS  AND  THE 
NAVIGATION  LAWS.  —  RELIGIOUS  INTOLERANCE  IN 
NEWFOUNDLAND. 

1,  The  final  struggle  between  England  and  France 
for  the  control  of  North  America  commenced  in  1756. 
The  contest  is  known  as  "  The  Seven  Years'  War."  War- 
like operations  on  both  sides  began  on  sea  and  land ; 
but  the  chief  battle-ground  was  America.  William  Pitt, 
"  the  Great  Commoner,"  as  he  was  called,  assumed  the 
guidance  of  affairs,  as  Prime  Minister  of  England.  He 
began  the  campaign  by  an  expedition  against  Louisburg, 
in  Cape  Breton,  a  strong  fortress  held  by  France.  The 
military  command  of  this  expedition  was  given  to  Colonel 
Jeffrey  Amherst,  Colonel  James  Wolfe  being  second  in 
command,  and  Admiral  Boscawen  commander  of  the 
fleet.  Louisburg  was  captured,  and  two  years  after- 
wards the  fortifications  of  that  formidable  fortress  were 
razed  to  the  ground.  The  crowniftg  expedition,  in  1759, 
was  directed  against  Quebec.  Wolfe,  who  had  greatly 
distinguished  himself  for  bravery  and  skill  at  the  siege 
of  Louisburg,  was  placed  in  supreme  command.  Que- 
bec fell,  and  Wolfe  "  died  happy,"  in  the  moment  of 
victory,  on  the  Plains  of  Abraham.  The  power  of 
France    in    the   New  World    was   completely   bvoken. 


i  -     .1  1 


1775.] 


''THE  SEVEN   YEARS'    WAR. 


99 


'M 


The  whole  of  North  America  passed  into  the  possession 
of  tile  British  crown. 

2.  Though  tlie  French  had  now  lost  the  magnificent 
colony  of  Canada,  they  still  clung  most  tenaciously  to 
the  idea  of  conquering  and  holding  Newfoundland. 
They  knew  its  value,  in  connection  with  the  prosecution 
of  their  fisheries,  which  they  still  looked  to  as  the  great 
training-school  for  their  seamen.  Accordingly,  in  1762, 
they  resolved  on  another  expedition  for  the  conquest  of 
the  island.  A  strong  naval  squadron  was  collected  at 
Brest,  and  on  the  24th  of  June,  it  arrived  at  the  Bay  of 
Bulls.  Here  a  force  was  landed,  which  marched  over- 
land, and  surprised  and  overpowered  the  small  garrison  at 
St.  John's,  consisting  of  but  sixty-three  men.  The  French 
then  proceeded  to  strengthen  the  fortifications.  Their 
fleet  anchored  in  the  harbour.  They  succeeded,  soon 
after,  in  capturing  Carbonear  and  Trinity,  and  devastated 
the  trade  and  fisheries,  inflicting  great  sufferuigs  on  the 
people. 

Captain  Graves,  the  Governor,  was  the.i  on  his  way 
out  from  England  to  the  island.  On  the  Banks  he  was 
met  by  a  sloop  which  informed  him  of  the  capture  of 
St.  John's.  Bv  this  vessel  he  immediatelv  sent  de- 
spatches  to  Lord  Colville,  commander  at  Halifax,  who  at 
once  sailed  with  a  strong  naval  force,  and  blockaded  the 
harbour  of  St.  John's,  where  the  French  fleet  lay. 

3.  Meantime  Governor  Graves  landed  at  Placentia, 
and  proceeded  to  put  the  fortifications,  which  were  in  a 
ruinous  state,  in  a  proper  condition  of  defence.  Lord 
Colville  was  speedily  joined  by  Colonel  Amherst,  with 
800  Highlanders,  from  Louisburg.  These  troops  were 
landed  at  Torbay,  six  miles  north  of  St.  John's,  under  a 
heavy  fire  from  the  French.  They  advanced  on  the 
capital,  over  hills  and  very  diflficult  ground,  suftV  '  »g 


'■■   n 


m 


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JA*^  ).<•»«, 


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i'!': 


4i 


100 


'*TNE'  SEVEN  YEARS     WAR." 


[1756- 


from  a  continual  bush-fire  from  the  French,  who  had 
taken  to  the  woods.  The  galhmt  Highlanders  then 
rushed  on  tlie  strong  post  of  Quid!  Vidi,  which  they  car- 
ried, sword  in  hand.  vSignal  Hill,  a  lofty  eminence 
overlooking  the  harbour,  was  held  by  the  French,  in  con- 
siderable force.  Led  by  Captain  Macdonaid,  the  High- 
landers charged  up  the  rugged  heights,  iu  the  face  of  a 
heavy  fire  from  the  enemy  ;  and  the  hill  was  taken  by 
storm.  The  i)rave  leader  and  his  lieutenant  both  fell 
mortallv  wounded.  Four  men  were  killed,  in  the  finol 
assault,  and  eighteen  wounded.  In  all,  the  English  lost 
twenty  men. 

4.  The  French  fleet  were  now  shut  in  the  harbour  by 
Colville's  blockading  squadron,  and  their  surrender 
seemed  i'^ovitable.  But,  at  tliis  critical  time,  a  storm 
arose,  which  drove  off  the  English  ships.  Taking  ad- 
vantage of  this,  and  favoured  bj'  a  fog,  the  French  fleet 
put  to  sea,  and  escaped.  The  garrison,  after  a  brief 
struggle,  surrendered,  on  condition  that  the  troops 
should  be  conveyed  to  France.  Thus  ended  the  last 
serious  attempt  on  the  part  of  the  French  to  gain  pos- 
session of  Newfoundland. 

6.  The  year  in  which  the  French  were  thus  both 
triumphant  and  defeated  at  St.  John's  witnessed  the 
close  of  "  the  Seven  Years'  War,"  by  the  treaty  of  Paris, 
in  1763.  By  this  treaty  England  gained  a  totality  of 
empire  in  North  America,  extending  from  Hudson's 
Bay  to  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi.  France  renounced 
all  claims  to  Canada,  Acadia,  Cape  Breton,  and  New- 
foundland. Unfortunately,  however,  this  treaty  con- 
firmed and  extended  the  French  fishing  privileges  in 
Newfoundland,  which  had  been  secured  by  the  treaty  of 
Utrecht.  The  islands  of  St.  Pierre  and  Miquelon,  at  the 
mouth  of  Fortune  Bay,  were  transferred  to  France,  as 


1775.] 


''THE  SEVEN   YEARS     WAR." 


101 


a  shelter  for  her  fishermen,  on  condition  that  no  fortifi- 
cations were  to  be  erected,  and  that  only  a  guard  of  fifty 
men,  for  police  purposes,  should  be  maintained  there. 
This  grant  greatly  strengthened  the  hold  of  the  French 
on  the  island,  in  connection  with  their  fisheries,  and  led 
to  perpetual  jealousies  and  discords,  greatly  retarding 
the  progress  of  the  country. 

6.  In  order  to  establish  at  Labrador  a  free  fishery, 
open  to  aL  British  subjects,  the  whole  of  its  extensive 
coast  was  placed  under  the  care  of  the  Governor  of 
Newfoundland,  whose  title,  henceforth,  was  to  be  "  Gov- 
ernor and  Commander-in-chief  in  and  over  the  island  of 
Newfoundland,  and  of  all  the  coast  of  Labrador,  from 
the  entrance  of  Hudson's  Bay  to  the  river  of  St.  John's, 
opposite  the  island  of  Anticosti."  This  addition  con- 
ferred increased  importance  on  the  government  of  the 
colony,  and  led  its  people,  in  after  years,  to  prosecute 
the  valuable  fishei'ies  at  Labrador,  where,  at  the  present 
time,  one-third  of  all  the  codfish  exported  is  taken. 

7.  Another  important  step  in  advance  was  taken  in 
1764.  On  the  representation  of  the  Board  of  Trade  a 
collector  and  controller  of  customs  for  Newfoundland 
was  appointed,  and  the  navigation  laws  were  extended 
to  the  island,  which  was  now  formally  declared  to  be 
"one  of  His  Majesty's  Plantations"  or  colonies.  This 
was  a  fatal  blow  to  the  old  s^'stem,  by  which  it  was 
kept  merely  as  a  fishing-station  for  the  benefit  of  a  few 
monopolists. 

8.  A  census  was  taken,  at  the  close  of  1763,  from 
which  it  appeared  that  the  population  of  the  island  num- 
bered 13,112.  Of  these,  7,500  were  constant  residents 
in  the  island,  of  whom  4,795  were  Roman  Catholics,  and 
2,705  were  Protestants.  The  cod-fishery  was  in  a  thriv- 
ing condition,  386,274  quintals  of  cod  having  been  made 


.(Cr*wi-*w.„ 


102 


"^THE  SEVEN  YEARS'    WAR." 


[1756- 


'!': 


n 


(■11  «ii: 


K  \i    '• 


'ill- 


'1^  s: 


that  year,  of  which  two-thirds  were  caught  and  cured  by 
the  resident  portion  of  the  population,  who  were  gradu- 
ally getting  the  upper  hand  in  carrying  on  the  fisheries. 
Besides,  694  tierces  of  salmon  and  1,598  tons  of  oil  were 
exported ;  and  371  vessels  carried  on  the  trade  with  the 
mother-country  and  the  New  England  colonies.  The 
intercourse  with  Ireland  was,  at  this  time,  considerable. 
Numbers  of  Irish  emigrants  came  out  as  settlers,  and 
large  quantities  of  fish  were  sent  to  Cork,  Waterford, 
and  Belfast,  the  vessels  bringing  return  cargoes  of  pro- 
visions. In  17G5  the  export  of  cod  was  493,654  quin- 
tals, being  an  increase  of  145,360  quintals  in  two  years. 
There  was,  of  course,  a  corresponding  increase  in  the 
wealth  and  general  comforts  of  the  people. 

9.  But,  though  improvements  were  thus  slowly  making 
wa}',  the  social  condition  of  the  people  was  still  deplorable. 
The  administration  of  justice,  especially  in  the  outlying- 
settlements,  was  very  defective.  The  magistrates  were 
often  ignorant,  incompetent  men,  who  were  grossly 
partial  in  their  decisions,  and  at  times  open  to  bribery. 
The  high  charges  by  employers  for  advances  in  food 
and  clothing,  at  the  commencement  of  the  fishing  season, 
often  left  little  at  the  close  to  enable  the  poor  fishermen 
to  provide  necessaries  during  the  long  winter.  Too 
often  the  fishermen  found  themselves  in  debt  when  the 
season's  work  was  over.  Tempted  by  want,  some  of 
these  were  guilty  of  acts  of  violence  or  theft ;  others  fled 
to  New  England  to  escape  the  miseries  of  their  con- 
dition. As  yet  no  one  could  own  any  portion  of  the 
laud  for  purposes  of  cultivation  ;  and  if  any  one  enclosed 
a  plot  of  ground  it  was  lawful  for  any  other  who  chose 
to  take  down  such  fences  and  enclosures.  The  stormy 
ocean  alone  was  free  to  the  people  ;  and  on  its  uncertain 
harvests  they  had  to  subsist.    The  wealth  won  by  their 


1775.] 


'THE  SEVEN  YEARS     WAR." 


103 


toil  did  not  remain  in  the  island,  but  went  to  enricli 
other  countries.  We  must  admire  the  spirit  and  energy 
of  a  people  who,  amid  these  hardships  and  tyrannies, 
continued  to  cling  to  the  3oil,  and  bravely  pioneered 
the  Way  for  happier  generations. 

10.  But  at  this  time  another  bitter  and  shameful 
ingredient  was  added  to  their  social  oppressions.  Relig- 
ious intolerance  and  persecution  broke  out,  and  for  over 
thirty  years  continued  to  exert  a  baneful  influence  on 
society,  and  to  sow  the  seeds  of  bitterness  and  strife. 
The  obiects  of  this  intolerance  were  the  adherents  of  the 
Roman  Catholic  faith,  and  those  who  subjected  them  to 
persecution  were  the  ruling  authorities  of  the  colony, 
who  then  wielded  despotic  power.  We,  who  live  in  hap- 
pier and  more  enlightened  days,  now  look  back  with 
sorrow  and  shame  upon  these  deeds  of  intolerance  which 
we  see  to  have  been  wrong  and  unjust.  The  intercourse 
with  Ireland  had  led  to  the  settlement  in  Newfound- 
land of  numbers  of  Irish,  and  these  were  constantly 
increasing.  Some  of  them  had  fled  from  the  oppression 
of  penal  laws  in  their  own  land ;  but  the  exiles  met  the 
same  spii'it  of  intolerance  in  this  distant  colon}'.  The 
successive  governors  appear  to  have  regarded  these 
Irish  emigrants  with  dislike  and  distrust ;  and,  in  order 
to  discourage  their  coming,  and  to  lessen  their  numbers, 
laws  were  enacted  to  prevent  them  from  enjoying  the 
exercise  of  their  religious  worship.  Priests  could  only 
enter  the  country  in  disguise  ;  and,  if  discovered  when 
engaged  in  je  administration  of  the  rites  of  their  relig- 
ion, were  liable  to  be  arrested.  Masters  of  ships  were 
ordered  to  carry  back  such  Irish  passengers  as  they 
brought  out,  at  the  close  of  each  fishing  season.  These 
harsh  and  unjust  regulations  continued  to  be  enforced 
by  successive  governors      As  usual,   persecution  failed 


4 
4 


:\r 


:\iy 


104 


''THE  SEVEN  YEARS'   WAR:*    [1756-1775. 


'^iiiii' 

ill  111 


w- 


w. 


to  accomplish  its  object.  Emigrants  continued  to  arrive 
from  Ireland  in  si)ite  of  the  disabilities  under  which  the 
adherents  of  Catholieifcm  laboured.  Their  clergy  fol- 
lowed them  in  disguise,  and  secretly  ministered  to  their 
flocks.  At  length  a  better  spirit  prevailed.  In  1784  a 
ro3'd,l  proclamation  ended  forever  rehgious  persecution. 
Liberty  of  conscience  was  granted,  and  the  free  exercise 
of  their  modes  of  worship  was  secured  to  Roman  Catholics. 

11.  In  judging  of  these  errors  of  the  past  let  us  re- 
member that  the  principles  of  religious  freedom  are  of 
very  slow  growth,  and  even  yet  are  far  from  being  fully 
recognized  in  many  Christian  countries.  When  these 
persecutions  were  going  on  in  Newfoundland  the  spirit 
of  intolerance  was  strong  in  England,  and  religious 
freedom  was  neither  understood  nor  practised.  The 
very  men  who  were  most  conscientious  in  maintaining 
their  own  religious  views  were  often  the  most  zealous  in 
putting  down  all  who  differed  from  them.  Very  few 
had  jet  learned  to  acknowledge  the  great  principle  that 
men  have  a  right  to  worship  God  according  to  the  way 
they  believe  to  be  best.  Some  claimed  toleration  for 
themselves,  but  were  unable  to  discover  that  people  who 
differed  from  them,  were  as  truly  entitled  to  be  tolerated 
as  they  themselves  were. 

12.  Our  condemnation  of  these  acts  of  intolerance  in 
the  past  should  be  mingled  with  pity  for  those  who  were 
so  blinded  as  to  be  guilty  of  them.  Those  who  now  en- 
joy a  clearer  light  should  never  lose  sight  of  the  great 
truth  that  men  should  be  free  to  hold  their  own  religious 
views,  and  to  worship  in  the  way  which  their  consciences 
approve.  If  this  be  acted  on,  harmony,  kindness,  and 
mutual  good-will  among  all  classes  of  worshippers  will 
prevail,  and  sectarian  strifes  and  persecutions  will  be 
unknown. 


.r^  - 


NOTES   AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


105 


QUFSTIONS    FOR    EXAMINATION    ON     CHAPTER    XI. 

1.  When  (lid  the  Seven  Years*  War  hejf in?  Vr  here  wao  the 
chief  battle-ground?  Who  was  then  Prime  Minister  in  England? 
When  was  Louisburg  taken?  Who  captured  Quebec?  What 
was  the  result? 

2.  Describe  the  capture  of  St.  John's  by  the  French,  in  1762. 
Where  was  the  Governor  at  the  time? 

3.  Describe  the  recapture  of  St.  John's  by  the  English. 

4.  How  did  the  Fresch  fleet  escape? 

5.  Give  the  date  of  the  Treaty  of  Paris.  How  did  this  treaty 
affect  tlie  Newfoundland  fisheries? 

O.  What  addition  to  the  jurisdiction  of  Newfoundland  was 
made  in  17G3?    What  was  the  effect? 

7.  What  change  occurred  in  1764,  and  what  effect  had  it? 

8.  What  was  the  population  in  1763?  Give  the  exports  of 
that  year,  and  of  1765. 

9.  What  was  the  condition  of  the  people  at  this  time?  Men- 
tion their  disadvantages. 

10.  What  form  did  religious  persecution  take,  and  who 
suffered  by  it?    Who  inflicted  it?     When  did  it  cease? 

11.  What  led  to  this  religious  intolerance?  What  is  the 
meaning  of  religious  freedom? 

12.  How  is  good-will  to  be  maintained  among  those  who  differ 
in  religion? 

Map  questions. 

Describe  the  situation  of  Louisburg  and  Quebec.  Point  out 
Labrador,  and  give  its  dimensions.  (See  note.)  Where  are  Bay 
of  Bulls?     Trinity?     Carbonear?     Cork?     Waterford?    Belfast? 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS.  —  CHAPTER  XI. 

William  Pitt*  —  Boi-n  in  1708,  died  1778.  He  was  one  of  the  most 
eminent  of  English  statesmen.  He  was  noted  for  his  brilliant  powers  of 
debate,  his  eloquence,  and  the  keenness  of  his  sarcasm.  He  entered 
Parliament  before  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  took  the  lead  against 
Sir  Robert  Walpole.  He  owes  his  chief  fame  as  a  minister  to  his  conduct 
of  the  war  in  which  he  found  his  country  involved  when  he  was  called 
to  the  head  of  affairs.  In  1766  he  retired  from  the  House  of  Commons,  — 
the  scene  of  h"s  glory,  —  and  went  to  the  House  of  Lords  as  Earl  of 
Chatham.     He  was  buried  in  Westminster  Abbey,  and  a  monument  was 


Mii 


1 

!1 

lOfi 


NOTES   AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


I'liiii 


mm; 


'!ii-'f 


■' 


erected  to  hia  memory  at  the  public  expense.  Ills  distinguished  son,  the 
Right  Honourable  William  Pitt,  became  Prime  Minister  in  1783,  when 
but  twenty-four  years  of  age ;  a  post  which  he  held  for  seventeen  years, 
during  a  most  momentous  period  in  the  history  of  England.  He  died, 
in  1806,  at  the  age  of  forty-seven. 

General  Wolfe. — Born  at  Westerham,  in  Kent,  in  1727.  He  dis- 
tinguished himself  in  continental  wars.  Tiie  discerning  eye  of  Pitt 
selected  him  for  the  great  enterprise  against  Quebec.  On  the  night  of 
September  12,  1759,  Wolfe,  with  a  detachment  of  his  troops,  embarked 
in  boats  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  bound  on  the  desperate  enterprise  of 
scalihg  the  Heights  of  Abraham.  The  night  \vis  clear  and  calm.  Wolfe 
was  in  the  foremost  boat,  and  as  the  flotilla  dropped  down  with  the  tide, 
his  low  voice  was  heard  repeating  to  his  officers  the  stanzas  of  "  Grey's 
Elegy  in  a  Country  Churchyard,"  which  had  recently  appeared.  It 
may  be  that  a  presentiment  of  his  own  approaching  death  gave  a  mourn- 
ful pathos  to  his  voice  as  he  uttered  the  touching  words,  "  The  paths  of 
glory  lead  but  to  the  grave."  When  he  had  finished,  he  added,  "Now, 
gentlemen,  I  would  rather  have  written  those  lines  than  take  Quebec 
to-morrow."  When  the  sun  rose  next  morning  the  French  saw  with 
astonishment  the  Plains  of  Abraham  glittering  with  arms,  and  the 
British  gathered  in  battle  array.  The  gallant  Montcalm  marched  out  to 
meet  his  foe.  Wolfe,  in  leading  on  his  soldiers,  fell  mortally  wounded. 
Ere  he  breathed  his  last,  one  of  his  oflScers  exclaimed,  "  See,  they  run !  " 
— "  Who  run  ? "  asked  Wolfe.  —  "  The  enemy ;  they  give  way  every- 
where."—  "Now  God  be  praised,"  said  the  hero;  "I  die  happy." 
Montcalm  was  also  fatally  wounded.  Being  told  he  could  not  live  long, 
he  replied,  "  So  much  the  better.  I  shall  not  live  to  see  tl  3  surrender  of 
Quebec." 

"  The  victory  on  the  Plains  of  Abraham  and  the  downfall  of  Quebec," 
says  Parkman,  "filled  all  England  with  pride  and  exultation.  From 
north  to  south  the  land  blazed  with  illuminations,  and  resounded  with 
the  ringing  of  bells,  the  firing  of  guns,  and  the  shouts  of  the  multitude. 
In  one  village  alone  all  was  dark  and  silent  amid  the  general  joy,  for 
there  dwelt  the  mother  of  Wolfe.  The  populace,  with  unwonted  delicacy, 
respected  her  lonely  sorrow,  and  forbore  to  obtrude  the  sound  of  their 
rejoicings  upon  the  gi*ief  for  one  who  had  been  through  life  her  pride 
and  solace,  and  had  repaid  her  love  with  a  tender  and  constant  devotion." 

Wolfe  fell  at  the  early  age  of  thirty-four.  His  remains  were  brought 
to  England,  and  interred  at  Greenwich.  Parliament  voted  him  a  monu- 
ment in  Westminster  Abbey. 

French  Capture  of  St.  John's,  1762. — Anspach,  in  his 
"  History  of  Newfoundland,"  makes  honourable  mention  of  two  mer- 
chants whose  public  sei*vices  were  essentially  useful  at  this  critical  time, 
when  the  French  took  St.  John's.  One  of  these  was  Robert  Carter,  a 
merchant  at  Ferryland,  who,  by  his  prudence  and  indefatigable  exertions, 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


107 


fouiul  means  to  procure  a  suflScient  supply  of  provisions  and  other  nec- 
essaries, lor  llie  support  not  only  of  the  garrison  at  the  Isle  of  Itoys,  but 
also  of  A  considerable  number  of  distressed  inhabitants,  who  had  retired 
thither  for  protection  and  relief,  from  the  24th  of  June  to  the  9th  of 
October.  The  other  was  Cliarlcs  Garland,  then  a  merchant  and  justice 
of  the  peace  in  the  district  of  Conception  Bay.  C'arbonear  Island  was 
then  deemed  a  place  where  a  battery  could  be  useful  to  the  port  and  to 
the  neighbouring  settlements.  Mr.  Garland  supplied,  at  his  own  ex- 
pense, and  for  a  considerable  time,  a  small  detachment  which  he  had 
obtained  from  bc.ul-quiirters  for  that  small  island,  with  firewood,  pro- 
visions, and  additioual  pay,  until  the  French  took  it  and  destroyed  the 
works  and  batteries.  Mr.  (tarland  also  procured  a  number  of  seamen 
for  the  English  squadron.  His  services  were  honourably  acknowledged 
by  the  government,  and  he  was  indemnified  for  his  expenses. 

On  board  Lord  Colville's  Hag-ship,  the  "  Northumberland,"  when  it 
came  to  the  relief  of  St.  .Tohn's,  was  Captain  Cook,  afterwards  celebrated 
for  his  voyages  round  the  world.  He  then  held  the  position  of  *'  master  " 
on  board  the  tlag-ship,  having  entered  the  navy  as  a  common  sailor. 
Governor  (iraves  had  formed  a  high  opinion  of  Cook,  and  secured  for 
him  the  conduct  of  a  naval  survey  of  Newfoundland,  on  which  he  spent 
three  years.  His  charts  of  the  coasts  of  Newfoundland  and  Labrador 
are  found  wonderfully  accurate,  even  when  the  work  is  done  over  again, 
with  the  improved  instruments  of  the  pi'esent  day.  In  this  arduous 
service  Cook  won  his  first  laurels,  and  proved  himself  an  able  mathema- 
tician. Sir  Hugh  Palliser,  the  Governor,  had  a  warm  esteem  for  him. 
After  most  distinguished  services  in  exploi'ing  the  Southern  ocean,  and 
charting  the  Australian  coast,  he  engaged  in  an  Arctic  expedition.  In 
1779  he  was  killed  in  an  accidental  quarrel  with  the  natives  of  Owhyhee, 
one  of  the  Sandwich  Islands. 

Labrador.  —  The  great  peninsula  of  Labrador  is  1,100  miles  in 
length,  and  600  miles  in  breadth,  its  area  being  420,000  square  miles. 
Only  the  eastern  portion  is  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Newfoundland,'  the 
rest  being  annexed  to  the  Dominion  of  Canada.  The  boundary  between 
the  two  is  a  line  drawn  due  north  and  south  from  Blanc  Sablon  to  Cape 
Chudleigh.  Such  is  the  extraordinary  fish-wealth  of  Labrador,  that 
between  20,000  and  25,000  fishermen  visit  its  shores  during  the  summer 
months.  It'*,  fisheries  are  now  mainly  carried  on  by  Newfoundland 
fishermen.  In  1881,  over  400,000  quintals  of  codfish  were  taken  on 
Labrador,  besides  liorrings  and  salmon. 

The  JBsqHimai'iX  of  Labrador,  among  whom  Moravian  mission- 
aries have  long  laboured  with  success,  number  1,700;  the  Indians  of  the 
interior  4,000 ;  the  resident  white  population  on  the  eastern  coast,  2,400. 
On  the  St.  Lawrence  coast  there  is  a  population  of  4,400 ;  making  a 
total  of  12,500.  The  climate  is  very  severe,  and  the  country  is  unfit  to 
be  a  residence  of  civilized  man. 


m 


^h 


■pp 


108 


rALLIUJi'Ji'S  ACT. 


[1775. 


CIIAPTEU  XII. 

FROM    177(1    TO    1814. 

PALLISLTS  ACT. 


Hi, 


AMERICAN  REVOLUTION.  —  RELIGIOUS  FREEDOM  ESTAH- 
LISHED  IN  NEWFOUNDLAND.  TREATY  OF  VER- 
SAILLES. —  SUPREME  COURT  ESTABLISHED.  —  W^AR 
WITH  FRANCE.  —  (IREAT  PROSPERITY  OF  THE  FISH- 
ERIES.    LA.'D      RESTRICTIONS      LESSENED.  MUTINY 

DETECTED    IN  THE  GAURISON  AT  ST.  JOHN's.  —  VARIOUS 
IMPROVEMENTS. 

-  1,  The  infant  settlements  in  Newfoundland,  now 
growing  into  strength  and  importance,  received  some 
recognition  and  encouragement  in  1775.  The  British 
Parliament  i)assed  an  act  ^vhich  was  known  in  the  island 
as  "  Palliser's  Act,"  as  it  was  drawn  up  at  the  recom- 
mendation of  Captain  Palliser,  who  had  recently  held  the 
ofl3ce  of  Governor.  This  act  still  kept  alive  the  principle 
of  a  ship-fishery  carried  on  from  England,  but  introduced 
some  useful  regulations.  Among  other  things  it  di- 
rected all  agreemencs  between  masters  and  servants  to 
be  made  in  writing,  and  that  no  more  than  one-half  of 
the  wages  of  the  latter  should  at  any  time  be  advanced 
to  them.  It  also  declared  that  all  fish  and  oil  taken 
and  mad3  by  the  employer  should  be  liable,  in  the  first 
place,  for  the  payment  of  the  servants'  wages.  This 
last  provik^ion  was  especially  beneficial,  as  it  secured 
the  payment  of  the  hardly-earned  wages  of  the  fisher- 
men at  the  Close  of  the  season,  and  ended  the  disputes 
long  prevalent  between  masters  and  servants  on  this 
subject.     To  insure  the  return  of  the  fishermen  to  Eng- 


INll.J 


PALLISKIVH  ACT. 


100 


land,  this  act  authorized  tlu;  niastciH  to  detain  fortv 
HJiillingH  out  of  their  wages  for  paying  their  passageH 
home,  liy  tlie  same  act  a  bounty  was  given  to  vessels 
engaged  in  the  Bank  fishery. 

2.  But  now  a  new  source  of  trouble  presented  itself, 
which  entailed  severe  sufferings  and  losses  on  the  wliole 
population.  A  war  arose  between  Great  Britain  and 
lier  revolted  colonies  in  North  America,  in  1775.  It  did 
not  terminate  till  17  -^  Then  England  acknowledged  the 
independence  of  th  «,^d  States.     The  first  Congress 

of  the  revolted  colonics  passed  a  decree  forbidding  all 
"^exports  to  British  posscfjsions.     This  blow  fell  with  spe- 
cial severity  upon  the  inhabitants  of  Newfoundland,  who, 
fcA^a  lengthened  period,  had  been  accustomed  to  obtain 
the\r  supplies  of   food   from  the  New  England  l^'cates. 
The  annual  import  of  such  produce  amounted,  at  that 
time,  to  £345,000  per  annum.     Gloom  and  despondency 
prevailed   throughout  the   island,  owing   to  the   appre- 
hended scarcity  of  provisions.     The  difficulty  was  met 
by  detaching  vessels  i''om  the  fishery  and  sending  them 
to  Ireland  for  supplies  of   food.     American  privateers 
appeared  on  the  coast,  and,  entering  some  of  the  harbours, 
destroyed   much   valuable    property.     British   cruisers, 
however,  were  sent,  which  speedily  drove  off  the  priva- 
teers, capturing   and  burning  a  number  of   them.     St. 
John's  was  at  once  put  in  a  state  of  defence,  and  a  new 
fort,  called  Fort  Townsend,  was  erected  to  protect  the 
harbour.     A   detachment  of  soldiers  and   a  supply  of 
arms  arrived  from  England  to  aid  the  people  in  defend- 
ing themselves.     Ships   of  war   were   kept  constantly 
cruising  around  the  coast.     France  declared  in  favour 
of  the  United  States,  and  war  was  commenced  between 
France   and   P^ngland.     Rear-Admiral   Montague,    who 
was  then  Governor  of  Newfoundland,  captured  the  isl- 


no 


PALL  ITER'S  ACT. 


[17T5- 


I  iliilfe 


i![ii 


i 


ands  of  St.  Pierre  and  Miquelon,  which  had  been  ceded 
to  France,  and  sent  nearly  two  thousand  of  the  French 
inhabitants  home  to  their  own  country. 

3.  At  length  the  unhappy  war  between  England  and 
her  colonies  ended,  in  1782,  in  the  recognition  of  the 
independence  of  the  United  States.  This  introduced 
an  immediate  change  for  the  better  in  Newfoundland. 
Its  trade  and  industries  revived.  The  people  were  no 
longer  harassed  by  the  attacks  of  privateers  and  the 
dread  of  invasion.  After  a  time  commercial .  inter- 
course with  the  United  States  was  resumed,  and  im- 
portations of  food,  but  only  in  British  ships  at  first, 
were  permitted. 

4.  In  1782  Vice- Admiral  John  Campbell  was  ap- 
pointed Governor  of  the  island.  The  increasing  impor- 
tance of  its  trade  and  fisheries  had  led  to  the  appoint- 
ment of  officers  of  a  higher  rank  than  that  of  captains 
and  commodores  to  take  charge  of  its  government,  tha 
first  of  whom  was  Rear- Admiral  Montague.  Governor 
Campbell  proved  to  be  a  man  c"  an  enlightened  and 
liberal  spirit.  To  him  the  people  were  indebted  for 
terminating  the  reign  of  religious  intolerance  and  per- 
secution. He  issued  an  order,  in  1784,  to  all  magis- 
trates throughout  the  island,  which  ran  as  follows : 
"Pursuant  to  the  Kings  instructions  tome,  you  are 
to  allow  all  persons  inhabiting  this  island  to  have  full 
li])erty  of  conscience,  and  the  free  exercise  of  all  such 
modes  of  religious  worship  as  are  not  prohibited  by  law, 
provided  they  be  content  with  a  quiet  and  peaceable  en- 
joyment of  the  same,  not  giving  offence  or  scandal  to 
government."  The  year  which  witnessed  this  happy 
change  brought  the  Rev.  Dr.  O'Donnell,  a  Roman  Catho- 
lic clergyman,  to  the  island.  He  at  once  obtained  full 
liberty  oO   erect  a  place  of    worship,  to  celebrate  mar- 


V&'      I  ii' 


1814.] 


PALLISER'S  ACT. 


Ill 


riages,  and  to  perform  all  the  rites  and  ceremonies  of 
liis  Church.  He  was  the  first  authorized  Roman  Catho- 
lic missionary  in  the  island  after  it  became  a  purely 
British  possession.  In  1796  he  was  appointed  Vicar- 
Apostolic  and  Bishop. 

5.  Clergymen  of  the  Church  of  England  had  been 
labouring  in  the  island  from  1703  ;  but  it  was  not  till 
1787  that  a  Bishop  was  appointed  from  Nova  Scotia, 
and  Newfoundland  was  attached  to  his  see.  W  ;sleyan 
Methodism  in  the  island  dates  from  1765,  when  a 
single  minister,  the  Rev.  Lawrence  Coughlan,  planted 
it;  but  it  was  not  till  1786  that  three  missionaries 
aiTived  to  follow  up  his  labours.  English  dissent  was 
represented  as  early  as  1775  by  a  single  Congregational 
Church  in  St.  John's.  Governor  Campbell,  in  1782, 
renewed  permission  for  a  continuation  of  its  services. 
Thus,  happily,  all  Christian  denominations  henceforth 
enjoyed  equal  freedom  i  of  wciship. 

6.  The  war  between  P2ngland  and  France  was  termi- 
nated by  the  Treaty  of  Versailles  in  1783.  This  treaty 
altered  the  boundaries  of  that  portion  of  the  ''oast  of 
Newfoundland  on  which  the  French  had  rights  of  fish- 
ing. It  was  agreed  that  henceforth  the  French  fishing 
should  commence  at  Cape  St.  John,  situated  on  the 
eastern  coast  of  the  island,  in  about  50°  of  latitude,  and 
going  round  to  the  north,  and  down  the  western  coast, 
should  have  for  boundary  Cape  Ray.  This  change  was 
beneficial,  as  it  defined  accurately  the  boundaries,  about 
which  previously  there  had  been  man}^  quarrels. 

7.  The  year  1793  was  marked  by  a  beneficial  change 
in  the  administration  of  justice,  which  may  be  truly 
said  to  have  constituted  a  new  era  in  Newfoundland. 
This  was  the  establishment  of  a  Supreme  Court  of  Judi- 
cature, and  the  appointment  of  a  Chief  Justice.     After 


7^ 


f' 


112 


PALLISER'S  ACT. 


[1775. 


the  authority  of  the  "  Fishing  Admirals  "  had  come  to 
an  end  the  commanders  of  the  King's  ships,  visiting 
the  island  in  summer,  were  commissioned  by  the  Gover- 
nor to  administer  justice.  Under  the  title  of  "Surro- 
gates," or  deputies  of  the  Governor,  they  held  courts 
in  different  places  and  determined  causes.  During  their 
absence,  in  winter,  Courts  of  Session,  composed  of  jus- 
tices of  the  peace  for  the  several  districts,  assumed  the 
administration  of  justice.  The  Court  of  Admiralty  had 
been  unduly  extending  its  powers,  and  frequently  came 
into  collision  with  the  other  courts,  thus  causing  great 
confusion  and  dissatisfaction.  The  authority  of  all 
these  courts  was  brought  to  an  end,  in  1793,  by  the 
creation  of  a  Supreme  Court  for  tlu;  whole  island,  having 
full  power  to  try  all  persons  charged  with  crimes  and 
misdemeanours,  and  to  determine  all  suits  and  com- 
plaints of  a  civil  nature.  Chief  Justice  Reeves  was 
the  first  presio  /!;  of  the  Supreme  Court.  He  was  a  man 
of  high  charac.2r  and  great  legal  ability.  He  published 
a  "  Historj^  of  the  Government  of  Newfoundland,"  in 
which  he  faithfully  and  fearlessly  laid  bare  the  causes  of 
the  evils  which  afflicted  the  country.  He  showed  con- 
clusively  that  tlie  merchant  adventurers,  for  their  own 
selfish  purposes,  had  been  endeavouring  to  keep  all 
power  in  their  own  hands,  so  as  to  exclude  competition 
from  without  or  within ;  and  that  their  policy  had  pre- 
vented the  settlement  of  the  country  and  the  proper 
administration  of  justice.  Among  the  benefactors  of 
Newfoundland,  Chief  Justice  Reeves  deserves  to  hold 
a  foremost  place.  He  effected  many  beneficial  changes 
in  the  administration  of  justice  ;  but  such  was  the  force 
of  old  customs  that  it  was  not  till  1824  that  an  act  was 
passed  completely  abolishing  the  old  Surrogates  and 
Sessions  Courts,  and  appointing  two  judges  to  assist  the 


1814.] 


PALLISER'S  ACT. 


113 


Chief  Justice.  The  whole  island  was  then  divided  into 
three  districts,  in  each  of  which  a  court  was  appointed 
to  be  held  every  year. 

8.  The  French  Revolution  of  1789  must  be  regarded, 
in  its  far-reaching  results,  as  one  of  the  most  stupendous 
events  of  modern  times.  The  war  between  France  and 
England,  which  broke  out  in  1793,  had  a  most  impor- 
tant influence  on  the  fortunes  of  Newfoundland.  It 
was  anticipated  that  the  French  would  again  try  to  get 
possession  of  the  island.  Admiral  Wallace,  the  Gov- 
ernor, called  on  the  people  to  aid  in  protecting  their  homes 
against  a  French  invasion.  They  responded  to  his  call 
in  a  most  loyal  spirit.  Volunteers  flocked  to  the  na- 
tional standard,  and  a  corps  of  six  hundred  men  was 
formed  in  addition  to  the  volunteer  force.  The  forts 
were  strengthened,  and  new  batteries  made  ready  for 
action.  In  1796  a  French  squadron  appeared  off  the 
harbour  of  St.  John's  ;  but,  finding  that  a  hot  receotion 
was  prepared  for  them,  they  passed  on  without  challeng- 
ing a  shot.  They  succeeded  in  burning  the  defenceless 
settlement  of  Bay  of  Bulls,  and,  after  this  small  exploit, 
disappeared.  No  hostile  force  has,  since  that  exciting 
day,  fired  the  warlike  ardour  of  the  inhabitants,  or 
threatened  the  peace  of  the  rising  settlements. 

9.  The  gigantic  struggle  between  England  and  France, 
which  did  not  end  till  1814,  gave  a  remarkable  impulse 
to  the  prosperity  of  the  colony.  England  was  mistress 
of  the  seas ;  the  French  could  no  longer  prosecute  the 
fisheries  on  the  Banks  or  around  the  shores  of  the 
island.  The  supply  of  the  fish-markets  of  Europe  fell 
exclusively  into  the  hands  of  the  Newfoundland  mer- 
chants. Fish  rose  to  an  unprecedented  price.  In  1799, 
400  vessels  were  engaged  in  the  trade  of  the  country, 
and  about  2,000   boats.     The   export   of   fish   reached 


lU 


PALLISER'S  ACT. 


[1775- 


iill  ;^ 


500,000  quintals.  The  capital  invested  in  the  fish- 
eries of  cod,  salmon,  .>d  seals  was  not  less  than 
£1,500,000  sterling.  The  seal-fisher}',  which  had 
before  been  prosecuted  only  on  a  small  scale,  now 
attained  large  dimensions,  and  brought  in  much 
wealth.  In  1804  the  number  of  seals  taken  was  106,739. 
Poi)ulation  rapidly  increased.  In  1804  the  resident 
population  was  20,380 ;  while  the  fishermen  who  re- 
turned to  England  at  the  close  of  the  season  numbered 
over  4,000.  In  1807  the  population  of  St.  John's  had 
risen  to  5,000,  and  in  1812  to  7,075.  The  war  between 
England  and  the  United  States,  which  began  in  1812, 
removed  the  competition  of  American  fishermen,  and  a 
complete  monopoly  of  European  fish-markets  followed. 
Fish  rose  to  three  times  its  usual  price,  reaching,  at  length, 
forty-five  shillings  sterling  per  quintal.  Tiie  fisheries, 
too,  were  abundant  during  several  years.  The  wages 
of  the  fishermen  increased  in  proportion.  Large  num- 
bers of  emigrants  arrived  from  Ireland.  In  1814,  7,000 
came,  and  the  following  year  4,000  more.  From  1812 
to  1816^  the  population  of  St.  John's  nearly  doubled. 
Princely  fortunes  were  made  by  the  capitalists  engaged 
in  the  fisheries,  many  of  them  securing  from  $60,000  to 
$100,000  of  profits  in  a  single  season.  Persons  who 
commenced  the  business  entirely  destitute  of  capital 
shared  in  these  enormous  gains,  and  accumlated  large 
fortunes  in  a  short  peri)d.  In  1814  the  quantity  of  fish 
exported  was  over  1,200,000  quintals,  of  the  value  of 
more  than  $12,000,000.  In  1815  the  export  was  almost 
as  large.  But,  if  the  war  raised  wages,  it  also  im- 
mensely increased  the  price  of  all  the  necessaries  and 
luxuries  of  life.  Flour  was  £8  per  barrel;  pork  £12 
per  barrel.  The  fishermen  spent  their  wages  lavishly  at 
the  stores  of  tiie  merchants,  never  dreaming  that  tiie  good 


.(■! 


% 


1814.] 


PALLJSER'S  ACT. 


115 


times  were  not  to  last  forever,  or  that  a  fearful  commer- 
cial crash,  destiued  to  cause  much  suffering,  was  at  hand. 

10.  During  those  years  of  prosperous  fishei'ies  and 
increasing  population,  from  1796  to  1814,  improvements 
of  various  kinds  were  slowly  working  their  way.  But 
the  old  restrictive  system  was  still  maintained  in  full 
force,  and  prevented  the  people  from  cultivating  the 
soil,  making  comfortable  homes  for  themselves,  and  se- 
curing their  independence.  The  vast  wealth  realized  by 
the  fisheries  went  to  enrich  other  lands.  No.e  of  it 
was  spent  in  the  improvement  of  the  island,  or  for  tiie 
promotion  of  civilization  among  its  resident  population. 
No  other  British  colony  was  ever  dealt  witli  so  harshly. 
Millions  of  money  were  lavished  in  promoting  the  settle- 
ment of  Nova  Scotia,  New  Brunswick,  and  Canada ;  Init 
not  only  was  encouragement  denied  to  settlers  in  New- 
foundland, but  all  grants  of  land  were  sternly  refused. 

11.  Many  of  the  governors  who  were  appointed,  and 
who  held  offl(;e  for  three  or  four  years  each,  were  en- 
lightened and  humane  men,  and  quite  alive  lO  the  evils 
of  the  system  and  the  miseries  which  it  caused.  But  they 
were  naval  officers,  who  resided  only  a  few  months  each 
year  in  the  island.  Naturally  they  were  inclined  to  sus- 
tain the  old  order  of  things  which  regarded  the  country 
as  a  fishing-station,  and  a  training  port  for  seamen,  not 
as  a  home  for  a  civilized  community.  They,  therefore, 
strictly  enforced  the  policy  which  reserved  the  shores  of 
the  island  for  the  use  of  the  migratory  fishermen  from 
England,  and  denied  all  applications  for  land  grants. 

12.  As  an  illustration  of  the  working  of  the  system, 
two  instances  may  be  mentioned.  In  1790  Governor 
Milbanke  discovered  that  a  house  had  been  erected  in 
St.  John's  without  permission.  He  innnediately  issued 
orders  to  the  sheriff  to  pull  it  down,  declaring  that  no 


'  I J 


'»' 


'  mil 


if? 


'»7 


It 


116 


PALLI SEE'S  ACT. 


[1775- 


I!::; 


property  in  land  would  be  allowed  except  it  were  actu- 
ally employed  in  connection  with  the  fishery.  In  1799 
Governor  Waldegrave  found,  on  his  return  from  his 
winter  sojourn  in  England,  that  a  fence  and  two  sheds 
had  been  put  up  during  his  absence.  He  sharply  re- 
buked the  sheriff  for  his  laxity,  and  ordered  both  erec- 
tions to  be  removed.  Yet  he  was  an  intelligent,  humane 
man,  and  was  the  first  to  institute  charitable  societies 
for  the  relief  of  the  poor,  with  whose  deplorable  condi- 
tion he  showed  much  sympathy.  He  also  did  what  he 
could  to  promote  education,  and  he  secured  the  erection 
of  a  new  church  in  St.  John's.  But  the  governors  of 
those  days  considered  that  loyalty  to  England  obliged 
them  to  enforce  the  harsh  system,  however  hardly  it 
pressed  on  the  people. 

13.  Good  influences,  however,  were  at  work  among 
the  people,  who  hnd  long  been  suffering  from  social  dis- 
advantages. In  many  of  th«3  smaller  settlements  suc- 
cessive generations  had  hitherto  lived  and  died  without 
education,  or  almost  any  religious  instruction.  It  is  not 
wonderful  that,  among  a  people  so  circumstanced,  irre- 
ligion,  immorality,  and  disorder  should  have  prevailed, 
more  or  less.  But  now  a  change  for  the  better  com- 
menced. Churches  had  been  springing  up  in  various 
localities ;  and,  in  connection  with  these,  secular  and 
Sunday  schools  were  opened  for  the  education  of  the 
young.  Clergymen,  both  Protestant  and  Catholic,  left 
the  old  country  to  minister  to  the  spiritual  wants  of  the 
long-neglected  people.  Amid  hardships  and  privations 
of  the  severest  kind  these  good  men  toiled  with  com- 
mendable devotion  among  their  flocks.  Under  all 
these  beneficial  influences  a  striking  change  for  the 
better  was  gradually  effected. 

14.  A  serious  alarm  was  created,  in  the  year  1800, 


1814.] 


P ALL! SEE'S  ACT. 


117 


by  the  discovery  of  a  mutinous  plot  among  the  soldiers 
stationed  at  St.  John's,  composing  the  Royal  Newfound- 
land Regiment,  which  had  been  enlisted  chiefly  from 
among  the  populace.  The  conspirators  appear  to  have 
had  sympathizers  and  adherents  among  the  more  turbu- 
lent and  ignorant  of  the  lower  classes,  who  were  pre- 
pared to  act  in  concert  with  the  mutineers.  Their  plan 
was  to  desert  with  their  arms,  and,  being  joined  with 
their  friends  outside,  to  plunder  St.  John's,  and  after- 
wards escape  to  the  United  States.  Had  the  conspiracy 
not  been  detected  in  time,  terrible  results  would  have 
followed,  involving  robber}^  and  assassination.  The 
discovery  of  the  plot  was  made  by  the  Roman  Catholic 
Bishop,  Dr.  O'Donnell,  who  promptly  informed  the 
commanding  officer  of  the  impending  peril.  Prompt 
measures  were  taken.  The  ringleaders  among  the 
soldiers  were  tried  by  court-martial  and  executed.  The 
regiment  was  relieved  by  another  from  Halifax,  and  the 
alarm  speedily  subsided.  All  classes  felt  and  acknowl- 
edged the  debt  of  gratitude  due  to  Bishop  O'Donnell 
for  his  conduct  on  this  occasion.  To  mark  their  sense 
of  his  patriotic  conduct  the  British  Government  bestowed 
on  him  a  pension  of  £50  per  annum,  an  inadequate  re- 
ward for  such  an  important  service. 

15.  During  the  administration  of  Governor  Sir 
Erasmus  Gower,  which  commenced  in  1804,  a  very 
important  improvement  was  effected  in  St.  John's. 
Previous  to  this  time  the  principal  buildings  of  the 
town  were  huddled  into  a  small  space,  extending  around 
the  margin  of  the  harbour,  and  at  no  great  distance  from 
high-water  mark,  there  being  no  permission  co  erect 
permanent  dwellings  elsewhere.  Governor  Gower  suc- 
ceeded in  obtaining  the  consent  of  the  British  ministry 
to  a  new  arrangement,  by  which  the  grounds  near  the 


^i! 


118 


PALLISER'S  ACT. 


[1T75- 


W  :  !• 


water  were  reserved  for  the  purposes  of  a  mercantile 
port ;  and  the  land  higher  up  was  sold,  in  small  lots,  for 
the  erection  of  houses.  The  improvement  of  the  town 
dates  from  this  more  liberal  arrangement.  The  prohibi- 
tion against  building  had  led  to  the  erection  of  wooden 
huts  in  a  narrow  space,  and  in  such  a  way  as  to  present 
a  continual  danger  from  fire.  In  one  place,  the  thor- 
oughfare was  not  more  than  six  feet  wide.  All  the 
streets  were  narrow,  unpaved,  and  unlighted. 

16.  Thus  the  old  system  of  prohibiting  the  erection 
of  houses,  without  a  written  permission  from  the  Gov- 
ernor, at  last  received  its  death-blow.  Governor  Sir  John 
Thomas  Duckworth,  who  arrived  in  1810,  carried  out  this 
great  improvement,  by  leasing  the  ground  around  the  har- 
bour for  wharves  and  sites  for  mercantile  [)remises.  At 
the  close  of  his  term  of  office  he  reported  to  the  British 
government  that  the  resident  population  had  now  so 
largely  increased  that  the  fisheries  were  mainly  carried  on 
by  them,  and  that  it  was  vain  to  attempt  lessening  their 
numbers  or  checking  their  increase.  He  recommended 
that  all  impediments  to  the  cultivation  of  the  soil  should 
be  removed,  ^o  that  the  population  might  provide  for 
their  wants  by  agriculture  as  well  as  fishing.  His  suc- 
cessor was  authorized  to  carry  out  these  suggestions ; 
but  he  did  so  with  a  very  niggardly  hand.  Small  plots 
of  ground,  four  acres  in  extent,  were  granted  on  short 
leases,  and  witli  a  rent  attached.  There  were  no  roads, 
and  yet,  under  these  unfavourable  conditions,  the  applica- 
tions for  land  were  more  numerous  than  could  be  met. 
It  is  evident  that,  with  such  restricted  land-grants  agri- 
culture could  make  little  progress.  The  illiberal  policy 
continued  still  for  more  than  twenty  years  ;  and  was  only 
effectually  ended  when  the  colony  obtained  a  legislature 
and  the  power  of  self-government. 


:is!;     ■!' 


;  I 


1814.] 


QUESTIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION. 


119 


17,  Governor  Duckworth  proved  to  be  a  ruler  pos- 
sessed of  activity  aud  intelligence.  He  made  a  voyage  to 
the  northern  settlements  and  Labrador,  in  order  to  acquaint 
himself  with  the  condition  and  wants  of  the  people.  He 
endeavoured  to  establish  friendly  relations  with  the  Red 
Indians  of  the  country  ;  but  his  efforts  unfortunately  failed. 
He  established  a  hospital  in  St.  John's,  which  proved  to 
be  a  great  boon  to  the  poorer  classes  of  the  city  and  its 
suburbs.     His  memory  is  still  deservedly  held  in  respect. 

18.  The  years  1805  and  1806  witnessed  the  introduc- 
tion of  two  of  the  great  resources  of  civilization,  —  a 
post-office  and  a  newspaper.  Previously,  letters  were 
sent  by  any  casual  conveyance  ;  now  a  postmaster  was 
appointed,  and  merchant-vessels  carried  the  mail-bags. 
The  first  newspaper  was  he  "  Royal  Gazette."  It  was 
published  by  John  Ryan,  and  is  still  in  existence. 


QUESTIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION  ON  CHAPTER  XII. 

1.  What  was  the  effect  of  Palliser's  Act?      .  " 

2.  When  did  the  American  Revolution  begin?  How  did  it 
aflfect  Newfoundland?    How  was  the  island  defended? 

3.  When  was  the  independence  of  the  United  States  acknowl- 
edged?   What  good  effects  followed  to  Newfoundland? 

4.  What  important  proclamation  did  Governor  Campbell 
issue  in  1784?  What  was  the  result  to  Roman  Catholics?  What 
Catholic  clergyman  arrived? 

6.  When  was  the  first  Bishop  of  the  Church  of  England  ap- 
pointed? Who  planted  Wesleyan  Methodism?  Give  the  date  of 
Congregationalism  ? 

6.  What  change  did  the  Treaty  of  Versailles  make  ? 

7.  What  great  improvement  came  in  1793?  Who  was  the  first 
Chief  Justice?     Mention  what  he  did  for  the  good  of  the  people. 

8.  What  great  war  began  in  1793?  Who  invaded  the  island? 
What  happened? 

9.  What  effect  had  this  war  or  Ll.c  condition  of  the  colony? 
Describe  its  prosperity.  Whatemigia.its  arrived  in  1814?  What 
were  the  exports  in  1814  and  1815? 


«i 


120 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


'\m 


10.  Whatwere  the  grievances  of  the  people  during  this  period? 

11.  Why  did  the  Governors  sustain  the  old  order  of  things? 
12*  Mention  some  instances  of  restrictions  in  land  grants. 

13.  What  good  influences  were  at  work? 

14.  Give  the   particulars  of  the  mutiny  in  1800.     Who  dis- 
covered it?     How  was  he  rewarded? 

1*>.  What  improvement  came  in  1804? 

1 0.  What  report  did  Governor  Duckworth  make  of  the  colony  ? 

17.  What  did  he  do  for  the  good  of  the  country? 

18.  What  improvements  came  in  1805  and  1806? 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS.  —  CHAPTER  XII. 

French  Fisheries  in  Newfoundland  Waters. — The  impor- 
tance attached  by  F  ancc  to  these  iisheries  may  be  judged  from  the  fact 
that,  in  fortifying  Louisburg,  in  Cape  Breton,  she  spent  over  a  million 
sterling.  "  This,"  said  Abbe  Raynal,  '*  was  not  thought  too  great  a  sura 
for  the  support  of  the  fisheries,  for  securing  the  communication  between 
France  and  Canada,  for  obtaining  a  security  or  retreat  to  ships  in  time  of 
wai-,  coming  from  tlic  Southei'n  islands."  In  the  confusion  which  fol- 
lowed the  Frcn(;h  Revolution,  bounties  were  discontinued,  and  in  conse- 
quence, the  number  of  French  fishermen  engaged  in  these  fisheries  fell 
from  15,000  in  1777,  to  3,400  in  1793.  Subsequently,  they  were 
abandoned  almost  entirely  till  the  return  of  peace  in  1814. 

At  the  present  time  the  number  of  French  fishermen  engaged  in  the 
Newfoundland  Bank  and  Shore  fisheries  is  over  7,000 ,  and  the  average 
value  of  their  catch  is  £280,000  sterling. 

Chief-Justice  Reeves.  —  lie  deservedly  holds  a  first  place  among 
the  benefactors  of  Newfoundland.  His  able  "  Ilistbry  "  elFectually 
opened  the  eyes  of  British  statesmen  to  the  evils  of  the  existing  system 
in  the  island;  and  by  his  personal,  judicious  efforts,  he  accomplished 
much  good.  Of  the  Fishing  Admirals  he  said,  "  They  are  ever  the 
servants  of  the  merchants.  Justice  was  not  to  be  expected  from  them  ; 
and  a  poor  planter  or  inhabitant,  who  was  considered  little  better  than  a 
law-ln'eaker  in  being  such,  had  but  a  small  chance  of  justice,  in  opposi- 
tion to  any  great  west-country  merchant.  They  considered  that  New- 
foundland was  theirs,  and  that  all  the  planters  were  *o  be  spoiled,  and 
devoured  at  their  pleasure." 

The  term  "planter"  in  Newfoundland  means  a  sort  of  middle-man, 
who  obtains  supplies  for  the  fisheries  Irom  the  merchant,  and  employs 
fishermen  to  whom  he  distributes  these  supplies,  in  the  locality  where  he 
resides.  At  the  end  of  the  season  he  sells  the  fish  he  has  collected  to 
the  merchant,  and  pays  the  fishermen  their  wages.  At  first  the  mer- 
chants and  their  immediate  servants  were  the  only  classes  of  pei'sons 


■I    ■  i 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


121 


? 


engaged  in  the  fisheries.  Then  a  third  class  was  added,  called  "  Bye- 
boat  keepers,"  who  also  kept  a  certain  uumber  of  servants  and  were 
supplied  by  the  merchants,  to  whom  they  sold  the  produce  of  their 
voyage.    In  course  of  time  these  became  resident  "  planters." 

Fires  in  the  woods  arc  very  common  in  Newfoundland,  and  destroy 
an  immense  araoimt  of  timber.  In  the  summer  of  1812,  which  was 
unusually  hot.  Harbour  Grace  had  a  narrow  escape  from  <lestruction  by 
one  of  these  fires  which  approached  close  to  the  town.  The  scene  is 
said  to  have  been  one  of  terrific  grandeur,  as  the  fiamcs  leaped  from 
thicket  to  thicket  with  a  roaring  noise  and  huge  volumes  of  smoke. 
The  inhabitants  rushed  out,  and,  by  cutting  semi(;ircular  spaces  between 
the  town  and  the  blazing  woods,  with  great  difiiculty,  arrested  the 
progress  of  the  fire. 

Colonization  in  Newfoundland* — The  contrast  between  the 
treatment  of  Newfoundland  and  that  of  the  neighbouring  colonies  is  very 
striking.  While  capital,  skill,  and  labour  were  directed  to  the  improve- 
ment of  the  other  colonies,  the  adventurers  to  Newfoundland  extracted 
millions  from  its  resources,  without  expending  anything  on  its  internal 
improvement.  If  only  a  portion  of  the  wealth  drawn  from  its  fisheries 
had,  at  an  early  period,  been  spent  in  promoting  the  cultivation  of  the 
soil  and  opening  up  the  interior,  its  now  unoccupied  wastes  would  long 
since  have  been  covci'cd  with  a  prosperous  population.  But,  wliile  in 
Newfoundland  the  most  strenuous  eflforts  were  made  to  prevent  settle- 
ment and  cultivation,  in  Nova  Scotia  money  was  lavished  by  the 
British  Government  in  promoting  colonization.  Burke  stated,  in  the 
House  of  Commons,  that  Nova  Scotia  had  cost  Eiigland  £700,000.  In 
1749  the  first  settlers  landed  at  Chcbucto  Harbour  (now  Halifax), 
and  for  their  assistance  Parliament  voted  £40,000  sterling.  The  settle- 
ment of  Lunenburgh,  Nova  Scotia,  in  seven  years,  cost  England 
£445,584.  On  roads,  canals,  mines,  and  other  public  works  in  Canada, 
millions  were  expended,  while  protective  duties  secured  a  monopoly  for 
its  products  in  English  markets.  Contrast  with  this  ihe  harsh  treatment 
of  the  NeVfioundland  colonists,  and  the  injury  done  to  the  fisheries  by 
unwi'^e  concessions  to  the  French.  New  Zealand  and  New  South 
Vvales  present  a  similar  contrast  in  the  bountiful  encouragement  they 
received  in  their  infancy. 

The  West  Country  Trade  with  Newfoundland.  — The 
following  extracts  from  an  article  which  appeared  in  "  The  Western 
Times,"  an  Exeter  newspaper,  in  1872,  refer  to  the  time  when  the 
fisheries  were  carried  on  from  England :  "  The  places  nearest  to  us 
most  engaged  in  the  trade  of  Newfoundland,  towards  the  end  of  the  last 
cencury  and  the  beginning  of  the  present,  were  Teignmouth,  Shaldon, 
Torquay,  Dai'tmouth.  Many  old  hands  will  remember  the  large  concern 
canned  on  by  the  house  of  Newman,  at  Dartmouth,  from  which  has 
spniug  the  Baronet  of  Mamhead  House ;  and  also  the  names  of  Job, 


p 


w 


122 


OHRONOLOQY. 


c|| 


Ciodner,  and  Hunt.  At  Torquay  tlierc  were  the  Stabbs,  Prowsew,  and 
others;  at  Teij^nmouth,  Warren;  at  Slialdou  there  were  the  Howes, 
Wilkings,  Ilarveys,  and  divers  others,  who  owned  a  considerable  fleet  of 
craft  employed  in  fisliiuff  on  tlic  Banks,  and  in  canying  the  cured  fish  to 
the  ports  of  Spain,  Portuj^al,  and  the  Mediterranean,  and  (ireat  Britain. 
It  was  one  of  the  ways  by  which  the  countiy  side  was  relieved  of  its 
redundant  rustic  population.  The  young  fellows  who  had  a  little  pluck 
in  them  left  the  mattock  and  shovel,  and  betook  them  to  the  hook  and 
line.  Many  Devonshire  men  spent  their  lives  in  going  annually  to  the 
Newfoundland  fishing  work,  either  on  the  Banks  or  in  large  boats  along 
the  shore,  from  March  till  Noveml)er.  The  return  of  the  vessels  in 
November  was  a  time  of  great  anxiety  to  hundreds  of  wives  and  families 
in  South  Devon,  as  well  as  to  the  merchant-adventurers  concerned 
therein.  To  them  the  year's  luck  in  cod-fishing  was  everything,  and 
the  aiTivals  of  the  returning  vessels,  in  this  dreary  month,  an  exciting 
time. 

"Employment  was  given  by  the  Newfoundland  trade,  in  the  ship- 
building yards,  to  rope,  sail,  and  net  makers,  and  to  the  manufacturers  of 
all  kinds  of  clothing.  The  cordage,  sail,  and  net  making  was,  for  the 
most  part,  carried  off  by  Bridport.  Nor  has  Exeter  been  without  its 
interest  in  Newfoundland  matters.  The  manufacture  of  the  hooks  used 
in  the  cod-fishing  was  carried  on  here, — among  the  last,  by  a  family  in 
Fore  street,  among  whom  it  appears  to  have  been  hereditary.  Serges, 
woven  in  Exeter,  were  largely  exported  to  the  Peninsula  by  the  vessels 
which  earned  the  cured  cod,  and  other  fish  to  the  Catholic  countries  of 
Spain  and  Poilugal,  —  the  fish  for  food  on  fast  days,  the  serges  to  clothe 
the  monks. 

"The  change  that  has  since  come  may  beget  a  feeling  something 
stronger  than  surprise ;  for  not  only  is  the  trade,  the  shipping,  and  all 
the  local  intex'est  vanished,  but  a  generation  has  arisen  that  seems  to 
have  forgotten  how  much  codfish  and  seal-skins  contributed  to  raise  the 
condition  of  several  very  pretty  and  flourishing  towns,  not  to  mention 
the  fortunes  of  private  men." 


CHRONOLOGICAL  SUMMARY.— CHAPTERS  XI.  AND  XII. 


A.D. 

1756. 
1758. 
1759. 
1760. 
1762. 
1763. 


Seven  Years'  War  commenced. 

Second  capture  of  Louisburg. 

Quebec  taken  by  Wolfe. 

George  III.  commenced  to  reign. 

St.  John's,  Newfoundland,  taken  by  the  French. 

Treaty  of  Paris. 

Labrador  attached  to  New  tout  dland. 


CJinONOLOGY. 


12a 


1774. 

1775, 
1770. 
1777. 

1778. 
1780. 
1782. 
1783. 

1784. 
1788. 
1789. 
1793. 
1797. 
1798. 

1800. 
1801. 

1804. 
1805. 

180G. 
1809. 
1812. 


1813. 
1814. 


1815. 
1815. 


Customs  and  Navigation  LawH  introduced,  Newfoundland. 

First  American  Congress. 

Battle  of  Lexington. 

Battle  of  Bunker  Hill. 

Declaration  of  American  Independence. 

Battle  of  Brandy  wine. 

France  acknowledged  independence  of  United  States. 

Gordon  Riots  in  London. 

England  acknowledged  Independence  of  United  States. 

Treaty  of  Versailles. 

William  Pitt  the  younger,  Prime  Minister  of  England. 

Religious  freedom  established  in  Newfoundland. 

Impeachment  of  Warren  Hastings. 

French  Revolution, 

Supreme  Court  established  in  Newfoundland. 

Spain  and  England  at  war. 

Rebellion  in  Ireland. 

Battle  of  the  Nile. 

Mutiny  in  the  garrison  detected  at  St.  John's. 

Union  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland. 

Battle  of  the  Baltic. 

Napoleon  Bonaparte  Emperor. 

Post-office  introduced,  Newfoundland, 

Battles  of  Trafalgar  and  Austerlitz. 

First  newspaper  published  in  Newfoundland. 

Battles  of  Corunna  and  Talavera. 

United  States  declared  war  against  England. 

Retreat  of  Napoleon  from  Moscow. 

Americans  invaded  Canada. 

Battle  of  Leipsic. 

Battle  of  Lundy's  Lane,  Canada. 

Abdication  of  Napoleon.  , 

First  Treaty  of  Paris. 

Treaty  of  Ghent.      ^ 

Battle  of  Waterloo. 

Second  Treaty  of  Paris.  •     •  :  v^ 


i.J 


EMINENT  AUTHORS. 
Gibbon;  Hume;  Burns;  Edmund  Burke;    Cowper;  Junius; 
Adam  Smith  Keats ;  Shelley ;  Byron  ;  Scott. 


124 


COMMERCIA  L   DIHA  S TERS. 


[1814- 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

FROM    lf!»14    TO    1801. 

COMMERCIAL  DISASTERS. 


FIRST  OF  1816-17.  —  PAUPERISM.  —  FIRST  ROADS  IN  1825- 
—  REPRESENTATIVE  GOVERNMENT  GRANTED. CONDI- 
TION OF  THE  FISHERIES  IN  1832. POLITICAL  DIS- 
TURBANCES. —  CAUSES  OF  THESE  CONFLICTS.  —  PUBLIC 
IMPROVEMENTS.—  oREAT  FIRE  OF  1846. "RESPON- 
SIBLE government"  GRANTED  IN  1854. — FIRST 
ATLANTIC  CABLE  IN  1858.  — VISIT  OF  THE  PRINCE  OF 
WALES    IN    1860.  POLITICAL    TROUBLES. 

1.  We  have  seen  how  prosperous  were  the  fisheries 
during  the  long  European  wars  whicii  followed  the  French 
Revolution.  The  price  of  fish  trebled  ;  and  all  the  fish- 
markets  of  Europe  were  supplied  from  Newfoundland. 
Neither  P'rench  nor  American  fishermen  were  to  be  founti 
on  the  Banks.  Great  numbers  of  emigrants  were  attracted 
to  the  island  by  the  high  rate  of  wages,  and  the  popula- 
tion rai)idly  increased.  Immense  fortunes  were  quickly 
made  by  the  capitalists.  The  middle  classes,  too,  increased 
in  wealth  and  numbers.  No  one  dreamed  that  this  artificial 
and  exceptional  prosperity  could  not  last,  or  imagined 
that  the  sunshine  was  soon  to  be  overclouded  and  dis- 
aster and  ruin  to  descend  on  the  community.  In  pros- 
perity no  provision  was  made  for  the  dark  days  of 
adversity. 

2.  The  battle  of  Waterloo,  in  1815,  brought  the  great 
European  conflict  to  a  close,  and  peace  was  reestablished 
by  the  Treaty  of  Paris.  By  this  treaty  the  French  right 
of  fishins;  on  the  Banks  and  shores  of  the  island  was 


M      "'  si' 


.  i«- 


1«61.] 


OOMMERCIAL   DISASTERS. 


125 


restored  to  its  former  footing.  Americans  were  also 
allowed  extended  privileges  of  fishing  in  British  waters. 
Both  French  and  Americans  at  once  established  a  system 
of  bounties  to  encourage  their  own  fishermen  ;  and,  at  the 
same  time,  by  high  duties,  prevented  the  admission  of 
Newfoundland  fish  into  their  own  markets.  The  result 
was  a  rapid  extension  of  the  French  and  American  fish- 
eries. Newfoundland  had  now  to  compete,  in  the  fish- 
consuming  countries,  with  Frenchmen  and  Americans, 
whose  governments  paid  them  a  liberal  sum  for  every 
quintal  of  fish  caught,  over  and  above  the  price  for  which 
it  sold.  The  British  government  granted  no  bounties ; 
and  thus  the  Newfoundland  fishermen  had  to  compete 
with  the  others  on  very  unequal  terms. 

3.  The  consequence  of  the  new  condition  of  things 
was  that  the  price  of  fish  fell  speedily  from  forty-five  tc 
twelve  shillings  per  quintal.  This  brought  on  a  com- 
mercial crash,  at  the  close  of  1815,  involving  a  large 
proportion  of  the  merchants  and  planters  in  bankruptcy 
and  ruin.  Numbers  of  the  large  mercantile  firms  became 
hopelessly  involved,  and  were  unable  to  pay  their  cred- 
itors. Others,  who  were  not  insolvent,  became  so  dis- 
heartened that  they  realized  whatever  property  remained, 
and  left  the  country.  Only  a  few  managed  to  weather 
^he  storm,  and  these  were  greatly  reduced  in  their 
ir.eans  of  carrving  on  business.  No  less  than  nine  hun- 
lived  eases,  arising  out  of  extensive  failures,  came  be- 
Toi"'^  tee  civil  courts.  Losses  by  bankruptcies  amounted 
to  a  million  pounds  sterling.  The  middle  and  woriiing 
classes  suffered  with  the  rest.  There  was  little  use 
made  of  banks  in  those  days,  and  planters  and  fishermen 
were  in  the  habit  of  leaving  their  savings,  during  pros- 
perous years,  in  the  hands  of  the  merchants,  for  safe- 
keeping.    The  bankruptcy  of  the  merchants  swept  away 


"4  ■■ '  i 


wr 


126 


COMMERCIAL  DISASTERS. 


[1814< 


*:s 


r;«'i 


all  their  hardly  earned  savings.  It  is  calculated  that  the 
working-classes  lost,  in  this  way,  the  large  sum  of 
£400,000,  a  great  part  of  what  they  had  accumulated  in 
the  late  prosperous  period. 

4.  These  were  dark  and  trying  days.  Supplies  for 
the  fisheries  were  suddenly  cut  off  or  greatly  lessened. 
Multitudes  were  thus  deprived  of  the  means  of  earning 
their  bread.  In  many  instances  the  wages  earned 
during  the  summer  of  1815  were  not  paid  to  the  fisher- 
men, owing  to  the  insolvency  of  their  employers.  A 
large  population  had  been  attracted  by  the  prosperity  of 
previous  3'ears,  and  these  could  not  now  be  sustained  in 
the  depressed  condition  of  the  fisheries.  Large  numbers 
were  left  unemployed,  and  became  dependent  on  public 
charity.  It  was  absolutely  necessary  to  remove  some  of 
them.  At  the  public  expense  many  of  the  most  desti- 
tute were  shipped  to  Ireland.  Over  a  thousand  were 
sent  to   Halifax. 

6.  Such  was  the  state  of  affairs  at  the  close  of  1815, 
and  this  was  but  the  beginning  of  disasters.  On  the  12th 
of  February  of  the  following  year,  181 G,  a  terrible  fire 
broke  out  in  St.  John's,  during  the  night,  when  a  heavy 
gale  was  blowing.  It  was  a  night  of  terrors.  The 
flames,  fanned  by  a  furious  wind,  spread  with  inconceiva- 
ble rapidity  among  wooden  houses,  huddled  together  with- 
out any  stone  or  brick  partitions,  or  any  provision  for 
safety.  Hundreds  had  barely  time  to  escape  from  their 
dwellings  with  scarcely  any  covering,  and  stood  shiver- 
ing in  the  piercing  blasts  ;  while  all  they  possessed  was 
perishing  before  their  eyes,  and  they  were  left  without  a 
shelter.  No  less  than  120  houses  were  destroyed,  and 
1,500  persons  left  without  a  home.  The  loss  of  property 
was  estimated  at  £100,000.  ;,    : 

6.   The  fisheries  of  1817  were  disastrous  failures,  and 


1861.] 


COMMERCIAL   DISASTERS. 


127 


the  price  of  fish  was  very  low.  The  sufferings  of  the 
poor  fishermen  were  terrible,  although  every  effort  was 
made  to  alleviate  their  distress.  Food-riots  broke  out, 
and  men  with  arms  in  their  hands,  rendered  desperate 
by  starvation,  demanded  relief  from  the  magistrates, 
and  broke  into  the  merchants'  stores  and  carried  off  pro- 
visions. Order,  however,  was  soon  reestablished.  The 
British  Parliament  sent  relief  to  the  distressed  colony, 
and  private  charity  was  active. 

7,  But  now  arrived  what  seemed  to  be  the  crowning 
calamity,  to  complete  the  wretchedness  of  the  people. 
On  the  7th  of  November,  1817,  another  destructive  fire 
broke  out  in  St.  John's,  and  in  a  few  hours  13  mercan- 
tile estiblishmeuts,  140  dwelling-houses,  besides  stores 
and  wharves,  were  destroyed,  and  1,100  persons  were 
left  without  homes.  The  loss  of  property  was  nearly 
£500,000  sterling.  Many  of  those  involved  in  the 
former  fire  were  severe  sufferers  now ;  and  numbers 
of  the  most  respectable  inhabitants  lost  all  their  prop- 
erty The  long  and  dreary  winter  was  before  them. 
They  were  congratulating  themselves  on  the  fact  that 
one-half  of  the  town  was  still  left  to  shelter  them,  when 
only  a  fortnight  after,  on  the  21st  of  November,  the  ter- 
rible cry  of  "Fire  !  "  again  startled  them  from  their  slum- 
bers. Before  the  flames  could  be  arrested,  56  houses, 
with  several  stores  and  wharves,  were  burned.  These 
fires  left  2,000  persons  houseless,  many  of  whom  had 
lost  all  they  possessed. 

8.  Scenes  of  heart-rending  distress  followed.  When 
news  of  these  calamitous  events  spread,  sympathy  was 
at  once  awakened,  and  help  speedily  arrived.  Provisions 
were  despatched  from  Halifax  to  save  the  inhabitants 
from  starvation.  The  generous  people  of  Boston  loaded 
a  vessel  with  provisions  of  various  kinds,  which  proved  a 


:¥/ 


'm 


■"!■"!" 


128 


COMMERCIA  L   DISA  S  TEIiS. 


[1814. 


Ik 


■W:l'' 


i  /'.  iSSfl 

^^Hj 

!  >              J 

• 

m$ 

1 

■1: 

j 

!  '1    ^ 

1 

11-, 

It  ■  i 

^ 

most  welcome  gift.  The  British  government  sent  prompt 
and  liberal  aid.  The  Governor,  the  merchants,  and  the 
wealthier  classes  exerted  themselves  to  relieve  tlie  wants 
of  the  more  destitute  portion  of  the  people.  A  number 
of  those  had  been  left  without  homes  removed  to  the  out- 
harbours,  and  some  went  to  other  countries. 

9.  Though  there  were  a  few  instances  of  disorder 
arising  from  the  pressure  of  want  and  misery,  the  people, 
on  the  whole,  met  their  calamities  with  fortitude  and 
patience.  It  was  not  long  till  the  dark  hour  became 
brighter,  and  began  to  pass  away.  The  seal  and  cod 
fisheries  of  1818  were  unusually  successful.  All  over  the 
commercial  world  prosperity  began  to  revive.  The  price 
of  fish  in  thre  home  and  foreign  markets  rose  considerably. 
The  people  who  had  sufl:'ered  so  sorely  took  fresh  courage, 
and  soon  industrial  activity  was  everywhere  visible.  The 
inhabitants  of  St.  John's  set  to  work  to  clear  away  the 
blackened  ruins  ;  and,  phoenix-like,  the  town  soon  rose 
from  its  ashes.  The  streets  were  widened,  precautions 
against  fire  were  taken,  and  more  substantial  dwellings 
replaced  the  old  wooden  structures  which  had  furnished 
fuel  to  former  conflagrations. 

10.  Admiral  Pickmor^  ha^  >)een  Governor  during  those 
calamitous  years.  He  was  the  first  resident  Governor,  — 
the  practice  formerly  being  that  the  governors  arrived  in 
July  or  August,  and  left  for  England  in  October  or  No- 
vember. Henceforward  they  were  required  to  reside  in 
the  island.  Governor  Pickmore  died  in  St.  John's  in 
Februar}'',  1818,  and  his  remains  were  sent  to  England 
for  interment.  He  was  succeeded  in  July  of  the  same 
year  by  Sir  Charles  Hamilton. 

11.  St.  John's  was  rot  the  only  place  which  suffered 
by  fire.  In  1816  a  fire  broke  out  in  Carbonear  which  de- 
stroyed sixteen  houses  and  much  property.     The  Metho- 


11  ^U 


1861.] 


COMMERCIAL   DISASTERS. 


129 


dist  church  was  one  of  the  buildings  consumed  in  this  fire. 
The  parish  cliurch  of  Harbour  Grace,  which  had  recently 
been  enlarged,  was  burned  towards  the  close  of  the  same 
year. 

12.  Though  the  country  had  begun  to  recover  from 
these  severe  blows  yet  the  effects  of  those  three  years 
of  adversity  were  felt  long  afterwards,  and  greatly  re- 
tarded the  progress  of  the  colony.  The  losses  sustained 
by  the  working-classes  reduced  many  of  them  to  a  state 
of  poverty ;  and  each  winter  season,  owing  to  partial 
failures  of  the  fisheries,  numbers  became  dependent  om 
public  charity.  Relief  of  this  kind,  extended  to  abie- 
bodied  men,  had  u  demoralizing  effect,  destroying  their 
self-respect  and  self-reliance,  and  rendering  them  reckless 
and  improvident.  The  governing  powers,  in  after  years, 
found  great  diflSculty  in  dealing  with  this  constantly 
recurring  pauperism,  which  became  a  heavy  burden  on 
the  revenue  of  the  countrv.  Still,  it  is  not  to  be  won- 
dered  at  that  these  public  calamities  should  have  created  a 
serious  amount  of  poverty.  Almost  universal  bankruptcy 
had  deranged  business  from  one  end  of  the  island  to  the 
other,  and  an  enormous  amount  of  capital  had  been  swept 
away  by  fires.  But  all  diflSculties  were  met  with  spirit 
and  energy,  and  were  eventually  overcome. 

13.  Up  to  this  time  the  people  had  no  voice  in  the 
management  of  their  own  aflfairs.  The  power  of  the 
governors  was  absolute,  and  their  rule  a  despotism .  They 
were  generally  inclined  to  sustain  the  old  order  of  things, 
and,  as  a  rule,  were  opposed  to  changes  and  improve- 
ments which  the  altered  circumstances  of  the  colony 
demanded.  A  desire  for  self-government  now  took 
possession  of  many  minds.  In  1821  an  agitation  was 
begun  for  the  introduction  of  sucli  institutions  as  would 
confer  on  the  people  the  power  of  making  their  own  laws, 


Mil 


1  } 


.;! 


itfs; 


130 


COMMERCIAL  DISASTERS. 


[1814. 


iii 


iH    : 


llii  I 


and,  through  their  chosen  representatives,  regulating  all 
matters  affecting  their  well-being.  Such  a  desire  was  a 
proof  of  advancing  intelligence  and  self-reliance  among 
the  people.  At  first  the  British  government  would  not 
listen  to  the  petitions  for  local  self-government.  The 
supporters  of  the  old  despotic  system  in  the  colony  were 
opposed  to  it ;  and  it  required  an  agitation  of  ten  years  to 
secure  this  right. 

14.  The  administration  of  justice  was  greatly  im- 
proved, in  1824,  by  an  act  of  the  British  Parliament 
which  provided  that  the  Supreme  Court  should  be  held 
by  the  Chief-Justice  and  two  assistant  judges.  The 
island  was  divided  into  three  districts,  in  each  of  which 
a  Circuit  Court  was  appointed  to  be  held  annually,  by 
one  of  the  judges,  from  the  decisions  of  which  an  appeal 
to  the  Supreme  Court  was  permitted.  A  Court  of  Civil 
Jurisdiction  was  also  instituted  for  Labrador.  This 
arrangement  secured  for  the  people  the  pure  adminis- 
tration of  justice,  on  the  principles  of  English  law,  —  one 
of  the  greatest  blessings. 

16.  In  1825  Sir  Thomas  Cochrane  was  appointed 
Governor.  By  his  commission  it  was  ordered  that  a 
Council  should  divide  with  him  the  responsibility  of  his 
government.  Before  this  time  governors  had  been  sole 
rulers,  acting  on  their  own  discretion.  This  Council, 
nominated  by  the  crown,  consisted  of  the  three  judges 
and  the  commander  of  the  garrison  stationed  at  St. 
John's.  It  constituted  a  decided  improvement  on  the 
old  despotic  system,  and  proved  to  be  the  first  step  to- 
wards! government  by  representatives  chosen  by  the 
peoi^-...        '■■'     •  •v.'v-;-^^  ■-:  V-  ---;    "•:.   '^ 

16.  Sir  Thomas  Cochrane  proved  to  be  an  excellent 
Governor.  He  made  liberal  grants  of  land,  though  his 
leases  contained  unwise  restrictions.     He  saw  the  neces- 


1861.] 


COMMERCIAL  DISASTERS. 


131 


sity  of  roads,  if  agriculture  was  to  make  any  progress. 
His  government  was  rendered  memorable  by  the  con- 
litruction  of  the  first  roads  in  the  island.  .  It  speaks 
volumes  for  the  injustice  with  which  the  colony  had  been 
treated,  when,  notwithstanding  all  the  wealth  drawn  from 
its  fisheries,  two  hundred  and  forty-two  years  elapsed 
from  its  annexation  to  the  British  Crown,  by  Sir  Hum- 
phrey Gilbert,  till  the  construction  of  the  first  road. 
One  of  Governor  Cochrane's  ronds  extended  to  Portugal 
Cove,  nine  miles  distant  from  bt.  John's ;  another  to 
Torbay,  and  another  to  Waterford  Bridge.  Along  these 
roads  farms  were  speedily  laid  off;  neat  cottages  and 
farm-houses  were  erected,  and  cultivation  advanced.  A 
foundation  was  thus  laid  for  future  improvements  ;  and 
people  learned  by  experience  the  value  of  roads.  Gov- 
ernor Cochrane  also  commenced  and  completed  a  hand- 
some Government  House  in  St.  John's,  at  a  cost  of 
£30,000,  which  amount  was  furnished  by  the  British 
Government. 

17.  Meantime,  as  the  ideas  of  the  people  continued 
to  advance,  and  the  prospects  of  the  country  brightened, 
the  desire  for  local  self-government  began  to  pervade 
the  minds  of  all  classes.  Public  meetings  on  the  subject 
were  held  ;  petitions  to  the  British  Parliament  poured  in  ; 
and  the  force  of  public  opinion  at  last  became  irresistible. 
In  1832  the  great  boon  of  Representative  Government 
was  bestowed  on  Newfoundland.  The  island  was  di- 
vided into  nine  electoral  districts,  each  of  which. was  to 
have  one  or  more  representatives,  according  to  popula- 
tion. Every  man  who  had  occupied  a  house  for  a  year 
preceding  tha  day  of  election,  and  who  was  twenty-one 
years  o^  age,  was  entitled  to  a  vote.  The  year  1833 
markea  a  new  era  in  the  history  of  the  colony.  On  the 
first  day  of  that  year,  the  Governor,  with  all  due  pomp 


■4; 


132 


GO  MM  ERG  I  A  L  DJSA  S  TERS. 


[1814- 


ijH 

''in 

III  ■ 

''  ■Hi 

and  ceremony,  opened  the  first  Local  Legislature  e 

people  had  now  obtained  the  power  of  making  '  >vvn 

laws,  expending  their  revenue,  and  guiding  .  own 

affairs.  Sucli  a  power,  once  granted,  could  never  be  per- 
manently withdrawn.  It  might  be  abused,  and  be 
attended  by  heavy  drawbacks,  but  the  advantages  were 
altogether  in  favor  of  self-government.  It  has  been 
found  to  be  the  great  school  for  developing  the  energies 
of  a  free  people,  and  promoting  national  progress. 

18.  The  long-drawn  battle  between  the  merchant- 
adventurers,  who  carried  on  the  fishery  from  England, 
and  the  resident  population  was  over  long  since.  The 
hardy  settlers  were  conquerors,  and  now  held  the  fishery 
entirely  in  their  own  hands.  The  English  Bank  fishery 
declined  rapidly  after  the  close  of  the  last  war  with 
France.  Before  that  date  nearly  four  hundred  vessels 
fitted  out  in  England  were  employed  in  the  Bank  fishery, 
and  two-thirds  of  the  fish  exported  were  taken  on  the 
Banks.  Then  came  a  sudden  change  and  a  fall  in  the 
price  of  fish.  The  English  could  not  compete  with  the 
French  and  American  Bank  fishermen,  who  were  sus- 
tained by  large  national  bounties  which  gave  them  a 
premium  on  the  fish  caught.  In  the  resident  fishermen 
of  the  island,  who  carried  on  the  fisheries  in  boats  around 
the  shore,  the  English  Bankers  had  also  formidable  rivals, 
who  gradually  gained  the  superiority.  The  English  Bank 
fishery  dwindled  away,  from  these  two  causes.  In  1832 
only  a  dozen  small  schooners  prosecuted  the  Bank  fishery ; 
and  in  a  few  years  more  it  became  totally  extinct.  The 
Newfoundland  fishermen,  living  near  the  fishing-grounds, 
were  able  to  compete  successfully  with  the  French  and 
Americans,  who  had  to  make  long  and  expensive  voyages 
to  the  Banks.  As  their  numbers  increased  their  annual 
catch  of  fish  improved,  till  they  exported  yearly  over  a 


1861.1 


COMMERCIAL  DISASTERS. 


133 


million  quintals  of  fish,  taken  around  the  shores  of  tiie 
island  and  on  the  coast  of  Labrador.  The  average  catch 
was  thus  equal  to  that  of  the  palmy  days  of  the  English 
Bank  fishery.  There  was  this  further  advantage,  that  the 
wealth  now  amassed  in  the  fisheries  was  less  likel}'  to  be 
carried  away  to  other  lands,  and  that  more  of  it  would 
remain  among  those  whose  labours  had  won  it,  and  who 
would  employ  it  in  the  improvement  of  the  country. 

19.  Newfoundland,  having  passed  through  periods  o"" 
oppression  and  trial,  had  now  attained  to  a  position  of 
freedom ;  and  its  Legislature,  composed  of  representa- 
tives chosen  by  the  people,  was  the  safeguard  of  its 
Hberties.  The  people  were  no  longer  subject  to  the 
knavish  and  despotic  "  fishing-admirals,"  or  to  the 
quarter-deck  mandates  of  their  successors,  the  captains 
and  commodores  of  the  royal  navy,  who  regarded  the 
inhabitants  as  "  subject  to  naval  discipline."  The  rule 
of  a  few  merchants,  armed  with  the  ordinances  of  ''  the 
Lords  of  Trade  and  Plantations,"  who  once  controlled 
the  whole  business  of  the  island,  and  even  the  domestic 
life  of  the  residents,  had  closed  long  since.  The  boon  of 
self-government  placed  the  destinies  of  the  people  in  their 
own  hands,  and  awakened  new  life  and  self-reliance 
among  them.  They  now  began  to  feel  that  for  them- 
selves, their  children,  and  their  country  a  brighter  and 
better  future  was  opening  up. 

20.  They  had  yet  to  learn,  however,  through  bitter 
experience,  that  freedom  is  a  gift  which  may  be  readily 
abused,  and  that  its  benefits  can  only  be  enjoyed  when 
moderation,  intelligence,  and  morality  guide  the  conduct 
of  its  possessors.  The  years  which  followed  the  intro- 
duction of  representative  government  in  Newfoundland 
were,  unhappily,  marked  by  strife  and  bitter  contentions, 
leading  to  social  discords,  and,  at  times,  to  scenes  of 


'5^1 


! 


134 


COMMERCIAL  DISASTERS. 


[1814- 


■i 

1  '•':  Z  i 


turbulence  and  disorder,  in  connection  with  the  elections 
of  representatives.  This  was  the  price  which  had  to  be 
paid  for  liberty,  and  it  proved  to  be  heavy.  To  under- 
stand the  causes  of  these  troubles  it  must  be  remembered 
that  the  population  of  the  colony  was  composed  of  two 
great  bodies,  differing  in  race  and  religion,  whose  numbers 
at  this  time  were  nearly  equal.  Half  of  the  inhabitants 
were  Roman  Catholics  of  Irish  descent,  among  whom  it 
might  naturally  be  expected  memories  of  Old-World 
strifes,  wrongs,  and  oppressions  would  be  rife.  The 
other  half  were  Protestants,  of  English  descent,  who 
were,  for  a  long  time,  accustomed  to  hold  the  ascendency. 
These  were  headed  by  a  wealthy  mercantile  class,  who 
were  not  disposed  to  give  up  their  time-honoured  claim 
to  rule.  Further,  as  we  have  seen.  Catholics  had  been, 
at  one  cime,  harshly  persecuted ;  and,  though  this  had 
ceased  long  since,  the  memories  of  old  wrongs  and 
grievances  were  not  yet  effaced. 

21.  When,  then,  representative  government  was  intro- 
duced old  jealousies  and  distrusts  were  revived.  Each 
party  dreaded  the  political  superiority  of  the  other,  and 
each  sought  to  gain  the  controlling  power.  Religion  was 
unhappily  dragged  into  the  political  arena.  A  licentious 
press  stimulated  the  strife,  and  the  worst  passions  were 
evoked.  The  peace  of  social  and  commercial  life  was 
disturbed  by  the  political  excitement  of  the  hour.  Some 
outrages,  which  were  perpetrated  by  the  more  ignorant 
and  turbulent,  added  fuel  to  the  flame.  Over  this  period 
of  political  and  religious  contention  it  is  better  to  draw 
a  veil,  and  consign  the  memory  of  it  to  oblivion.  It 
produced  only  evil  results,  rancour,  hatred,  and  evil  pas- 
sions and  seriously  retarded  the  progress  of  the  country. 

22.  It  should  be  understood  that  these  contentions 
were  only  seriously  felt  at  election  seasons,  which  re- 


1861.] 


COMMERCIAL  DISASTERS. 


135 


curred  at  intervals  of  four  years ;  and  that  tlie  stormy 
passions  tlius  evoked  quickly  subsided,  and  that  the 
people  forgot  their  differences,  and  lived  in  harmony. 
Apart  from  these  political  turmoils  the  population  was 
orderly,  and  serious  crime  was  almost  unknown.  Grad- 
ually both  parties  learned  the  folly  of  such  proceedings 
and  the  injury  they  entailed.  Each  learned  to  respect 
better  the  rights  of  the  others,  and  to  recognize  the 
equality  which  the  constitution  established.  As  kindly 
feelings  prevailed  a  good  understanding  was  restored, 
and  old  strifes  were  forgotten.  In  the  present  day  the 
love  of  country  is  gradually  rising  above  these  strifes  and 
contentions,  and  the  people  are  learning  that  their  true 
happiness  is  to  be  attained  by  living  together  peacefully, 
and  labouring  together  to  promote  the  interests  of  their 
common  country,  and  to  secure  for  it  a  high  place  among 
the  rising  communities  of  the  New  World.  We  can 
hardly  expect  that  these  political  and  sectarian  strifes  will 
disappear  all  at  once.  They  have,  unhappily,  reappeared 
at  intervals  since  the  times  we  are  describing,  and  always 
with  injurious  results.  But,  as  intelligence  spreads,  and 
higher  feelings  are  called  into  play,  they  will  disappear 
forever. 

23.  Notwithstanding  these  political  disturbances  the 
benefits  of  self-government  were  soon  felt  by  the  pass- 
ing of  many  useful  measures  in  the  Legislature.  An  act 
was  passed  for  the  erection  of  light-houses  at  various 
points  along  the  coast.  An  annual  vote  of  mopey  for 
the  promotion  of  education  was  adopted.  An  academy, 
for  the  promotion  of  a  higher  education,  was  established 
in  St.  John's.  In  1834  Sir  Thomas  Cochrane  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Captain  Prescott,  as  Governor,  liberal  grants 
of  land  were  made  to  hundreds  of  poor  families.  The 
House  of  Assembly  voted  £30,000  for  roads  and  bridges. 


130 


COMMEIiCIA  L  DISA  S  TERS. 


[18H. 


24.  In  1841  Sir  Joliii  Iliirvey  was  appointed  govern- 
or. He  iiseil  enlighteued  and  energetic  efforts  to  pro- 
mote agriculture  and  tlie  sectlement  of  the  country.  lie 
I'ounded  an  agricultural  society,  which  accomplished  nnich 
good.  The  Legislatuie  appropriated  £40,000  for  roads 
and  bridges, — a  proof  of  the  wonderful  revolution 
people's  ideas  had  undergone  since  the  days  when  the 
country  was  pronounced  unfit  for  settlement,  and  only 
valuable  as  a  rock  on  which  fish  might  be  dried.  To 
remove  all  impediments  to  agriculture  an  act  was  passed 
which  secured  the  sale  of  all  crown  lauds,  at  a  moderate 
price,  to  settlers.  This  proved  to  be  an  invaluable  boon 
to  the  country.  Other  improvements  followed.  In  1840 
a  mail  sailing-packet  was  a[)pointed  to  ply  fortnightly  be- 
tween St.  John's  and  Halifax  ;  and,  in  1844,  this  was 
followed  by  the  first  steam-packet  bearing  a  mail  for 
Newfoundland. 

25.  While  the  country  was  thus  prospering  and  im- 
proving, another  tenible  calamity  from  fire,  greater  by 
far  than  au}^  of  the  preceding  visitations,  fell  upon  the 
capital,  inflicting  terrible  losses,  and  for  a  time  checked 
all  progress.  On  the  9th  of  June,  1840,  a  fire  broke  out 
in  the  western  end  of  St.  John's  which  swept  everything 
before  it,  and,  before  night  closed  in,  three-fourths  of  a 
wealthy  and  populous  city  were  a  smoking  mass  of  ruins. 
The  rapidity  of  the  terrible  conflagration  was  owing  in 
part  to  a  high  wind  which  prevailed  at  the  time,  and 
which  hurled  the  blazing  brands  far  and  wide,  and  also 
to  the  fact  that  the  greater  part  of  the  houses  were 
wooden.  Even  the  mercantile  establishments,  built  sub- 
stantially of  stone  and  brick,  presented  no  barrier  to  the 
progress  of  the  fierce  conflagration,  and,  with  a  single 
exception,  they  were  totally  destroyed.  Nearly  all  the 
public   buildings   except   Government   House   perished. 


186  (.] 


COMMERCIAL  DISASTERS. 


\\M 


The  Po8t-office,  Savings-bank,  Rank  of  British  North 
America,  Custom-house,  rolice-oHlcc,  Exchange  Huikl- 
ings.  Ordnance  Store,  and  man}'  others  were  burned  to 
the  ground.  To  add  to  the  terrors  of  the  scene,  while 
the  red  tongues  of  flame  were  leaping  from  street  to  street, 
the  huge  oil-vats  on  the  side  of  the  harbour  took  tire. 
Liquid  flames  spread  over  the  whole  surface  of  the  water, 
and  set  fire  to  a  number  of  vessels.  Before  the  dav 
closed  twelve  thousand  people  were  homeless,  and  prop- 
erty valued  at  a  million  pounds  sterling  was  destroyed. 

26.  Still  there  was  no  abject  despair  amo*ig  the 
people  though  their  condition  was  sufliciently  dishearten- 
ing. Vessels  were  at  once  despatched  for  provisions. 
When  news  of  the  terrible  calamity  reached  England  a 
sum  of  £5,000  was  sent  for  immediate  relief,  and  Parlia- 
ment voted  £25,000  more.  To  this  was  added  a  very 
large  sum  collected  in  the  churches,  under  the  sanction  of 
a  letter  from  the  Queen  to  the  Archbishops  of  Canterbury 
and  York.  The  neighbouring  colonies  sent  liberal  con- 
tributions. Cheered  b\'  this  generous  sympathy,  the 
inhabitants  at  once  set  to  work  to  rebuild  their  city.  A 
law  was  enacted  prohibiting  wooden  houses  in  the  busi- 
ness part  of  the  town,  and  enforcing  increased  width  of 
the  streets.  Some  years  afterwards  an  abundant  supply 
of  water  was  introduced ;  so  that  St.  John's  is  now  as 
secure  against  fire  as  any  other  city  of  the  New  World. 
A  recurrence  of  such  a  terrible  conflagration  as  that  of 
June  9,  1846,  may  be  regarded  as  impossible.  A  much 
handsomer  city  has  arisen  on  the  ruins  of  the  old,  having 
ia^proved  sanitary  arrangements,  and  abundant  supply 
of  excellent  water  and  safeguards  against  fire. 

27.  Another  public  calamity  was  destined  to  mark  the 
memorable  year  1846.  On  the  19th  of  September  a  storm 
of  unexampled  severity  swept  over  the  island,  causing 


i*i 


! 


138 


COMMERCIAL  DISASTERS. 


[1814- 


an  immense  destruction  of  shipping-houses,  fishing-stages 
and  flakes,  boats,  and  bridges,  and  in  many  instances 
engulfing  the  fruits  of  the  fishermen's  toils  during  the 
previous  summer.  These  two  calamities,  in  a  single  year, 
were  a  serious  drawback  to  the  prosperity  of  the  colony 
for  a  long  time. 

28.  Sir  Gaspard  Le  Marchant  was  appointed  Gov- 
ernor in  1847.  Previous  to  his  arrival,  a  strong  agitation 
had  sprung  up  in  favour  of  what  is  known  as  "Responsible 
Government,"  a  form  of  which  had  been  already  con- 
ceded to  all  the  other  North  American  colonies.  The 
object  was  to  attain  a  more  complete  power  of  self- 
government  than  the  Constitution  of  1832  had  secured. 
The  appointments  to  the  principal  offices  in  the  colony 
were  still  held  by  the  Crown,  and  were  disposed  of  by 
the  Governor  and  his  Council.  Under  "Responsible 
Government,"  all  such  appointments  were  to  be  at  the 
disposal  of  the  part\'  which  commanded  a  majority  in  the 
Legislature.  It  was  thus  simply  government  according  to 
the  wishes  of  the  people,  as  expressed  in  the  choice  of 
their  representatives,  and  the  executive  were  made  respon- 
sible to  the  House  of  Assembly.  This  very  reasonble 
demand  was  resisted  for  a  time  ;  but  at  length  conceded 
in  1854.  Charles  Darling,  Esq.,  was  sent  out  as  the 
successor  of  Ker  B.  Hamilton,  Esq.,  to  introduce  "Re- 
sponsible Government."  ' 

29.  The  British  Government  entered  into  an  agree- 
ment with  the  French,  in  1857,  for  the  purpose  of  settling 
disputed  points  in  connection  with  the  Newfoundland  fish- 
eries. The  terms  of  this  agreement,  when  made  known, 
were  regarded  as  very  unfavourable  to  the  interests  of 
Newfoundland.  A  storm  of  opposition  arose,  and  dele- 
gates were  sent  to  remonstrate  with  the  British  Govern- 
ment.    The  clauses  in  the  agreement  which  gave  offence 


!   l:; 


1861.] 


COMMERCIAL  DISASTERS. 


139 


were  at  once  withdrawn,  and  the  Secretary  of  State  for 
the  colonies,  in  a  despatch  to  the  Governor,  gave  the 
assurance  that  "  the  consent  of  the  community  of  New- 
foundland is  regarded  by  Iler  Majesty's  Government  as 
an  essential  prelimiuarj'  to  any  modification  of  their 
territorial  or  maritime  rights."  This,  of  course,  was  a 
complete  guarantee  of  the  power  of  the  colonj  to 
regulate  its  own  affairs,  existing  treaties  being  duly 
respected. 

30.  "  Responsible  government "  worked  well.  Educa- 
tion was  fostered  and  extended  ;  more  light-houses  were 
erected  to  protect  the  mariners  around  a  dangerous  coast ; 
steam  communication,  both  internal  and  foreign,  was 
improved ;  a  telegraph  line  was  built  across  the  island. 
An  increasing  revenue  enabled  the  Legislature  to  under- 
take these  works  of  public  utility. 

31.  The  year  1858  was  marked  by  a  great  and 
important  historic  event.  A  sub-marine  cable  was  suc- 
cessfully laid  from  the  Irish  coast  to  the  eastern  shores 
of  Newfoundland,  a  distance  of  1 ,640  miles.  On  the  5th 
of  August,  1858,  the  great  enterprise  was  accomplished  ; 
and  the  first  telegraphic  message  between  the  Old  World 
and  the  New  was  flashed  across  the  island  which  Cabot 
had  discovered  three  hundred  and  sixty-one  years  before. 
The  fine  geographical  situation  of  Newfoundland,  reach- 
ing out  so  far  towards  Europe,  presented  facilities  for 
establishing  communication  by  telegraph  between  the  two 
hemispheres.  Soundings  previously  taken  in  the  Atlantic 
had  proved  that  between  Newfoundland  and  Ireland  there 
is  a  great  level  submarine  plain,  a  thousand  miles  wide, 
admirably  adapted  by  the  hand  of  Nature  for  the  recep- 
tion of  the  cable  which  constituted  a  nerve  of  communica- 
tion between  the  two  worlds.  But  for  these  facilities  such 
communication  might  have  been  delayed  for  many  years. 


140 


QUESTIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION. 


[1861. 


32.  lu  1800  His  Royal  Highnees  the  Prince  of  Wales 
visited  St.  John's  on  iiis  way  to  Canada.  He  met  witli 
a  most  loyal  and  enthusiastic  welcome  from  all  classes  of 
the  people. 

33.  The  year  1861  was  darkened  by  political  com- 
motions, in  which  the  old  animosities,  which  had  been 
long  dormant,  were  once  more  revived.  A  change  of 
government  had  taken  place,  and  general  elections  were 
held  in  April,  1861.  In  a  work  like  the  present,  designed 
mainly  for  the  use  of  the  young,  it  would  not  be  profit- 
able or  desirable  to  dwell  upon  the  scenes  of  tumult  and 
violence  which  unhappily  took  place.  It  is  enough  to 
mention  that  in  Harbour  Main  one  life  was  lost,  and  that 
in  St.  John's,  during  the  suppression  of  a  riot  by  the 
military,  who  were  called  out,  three  persons  were  killed  and 
several  wounded.  Harbour  Grace  also  was  the  scene  of 
serious  disturbances.  The  fact  that  for  more  than  twenty 
vears  afterwards  no  similar  scenes  occurred  at  elections, 
may  be  hopefully  regarded  as  a  proof  that  a  better  spirit 
is  prevailing,  and  that  old  animosities  will  gradually  be 
forgotten. 

QUESTIONS  FOR   EXAMINATION    ON  CHAPTER    XIII. 

1.  In  what  condition  was  the  com  ry  in  1814? 

2.  What  effect  liad  the  Treaty  of  Paris  on  the  fisheries? 
What  advantage  had  French  and  Americans  in  the  fishery? 

3.  When  did  thp  commercial  crisis  arrive?  What  caused  it? 
Describe  its  effects  on  Newfoundland.  What  was  the  loss  of  the 
middle  and  working  classes? 

4.  How  did  the  fishermen  suffer?  What  was  done  to  remove 
some  of  them? 

5.  Describe  the  fire  of  1816. 

6.  What  disturbances  followed? 

7.  Describe  tlie  losses  by  the  fires  of  1817.  How  many  per- 
sons were  houseless? 

8.  Who  sent  relief  to  the  people? 


li 


'i'" 


QUESTIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION. 


141 


9,  How  did  the  people  bear  their  troubles?    What  improve- 
ments in  the  town  were  made  on  rebuilding? 

10.  Who  was  the  first  resident  Governor? 
What  other  towns  suffered  by  fire? 
What  injurious  effects  followed  the  losses  by  fire? 
What  change  in  the  form  of  government  was  now  asked 


11. 
12. 
13. 

for? 

14.  What  beneficial  change  in  the  Supreme  Court  came 
in  1824? 

15.  Who  was  Governor  in  1825?  What  change  was  made  in 
the  form  of  government  at  that  date? 

16.  When  were  roads  first  made?  Where  did  the  first  roads 
reach  to? 

17.  When  was  representative  government  granted?  What 
was  its  effect?    Who  obtained  votes? 

18«  Wliat  was  the  change  made  in  the  mode  of  conducting 
the  fisheries?  Was  it  beneficial?  What  destroyed  the  Bank 
Fishery? 

19.  How  did  disturbances  arise  from  the  introduction  of 
representative  government? 

20.  What  divided  the  people  and  caused  contentions?  What 
evils  were  caused?  What  is  the  duty  of  people  in  order  to  pre- 
serve peace? 

21.  Mention  improvements  under  representative  govern- 
ment? . 

22.  Under  Sir  John  Harvey's  government  what  improve- 
ments took  place? 

23.  What  calamity  happened  in  St.  John's  in  1846?  De- 
scribe the  fire.  What  buildings  were  burned?  What  was  the 
loss? 

24.  What  relief  was  sent?     ,  , 

25.  What  injuries  were  done  by  the  storm  of  1846? 

26.  What  is  "  Responsible  Government,"  and  when  was  it 
granted? 

27.  Give  an  account  of  the  Convention  about  the  fisheries 
in  1857. 

28.  What  improvements  followed  Responsible  Government? 

29.  What  great  event  happened  in  1858? 

30.  What  marked  1801? 

31.  Describe  the  troubles  in  the  elections  of  1861. 


i,l 

If 

(r! 

11 

m 

!'•• 

142 


NOTEH  AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


NOTES  AND    EXPLANATIONS.  —  CHAPTER  XIII. 

Commercial  Panic  of  1815-17. —The  sufferings  of  the  people 
during  the  couuncrcial  disasters  which  followed  the  close  of  the  French 
war,  in  1815,  aggravated  as  they  were  by  three  sucrossive  conflagrations 
in  St.  John's,  were  terrible.  The  high  wages  during  the  prosperous 
years  had  attracted  large  numbers  of  emigrants ;  and  these  continued  to 
arrive  during  181'),  when  the  collapse  in  the  fish-trade  occurred.  Fam- 
ishing multitudes  crowded  St.  John's  in  the  following  winter. 

Captain  Buchan,  the  officer  in  charge  of  the  troops,  put  his  men  on 
short  rations,  and  drew  from  the  commissariat  stores  500  tierces  of  flour 
to  be  baked  into  biscuit,  which  was  doled  out  to  the  stai'ving  applicants. 
The  merchants  and  wealthier  inhabitants  did  all  in  their  power  to  relieve 
the  wants  of  the  people.  Their  own  stock  of  provisions  was  nearly  ex- 
hausted, and  their  purses  drained  by  such  constant  contributions  as  were 
called  for.  The  spring  of  1817  was  dismal  in  the  extreme.  Enormous 
ice-tields  around  the  coast  stopped  navigation  for  three  months,  and  the 
sealing-vessels  were  so  late  in  getting  to  sea  that  they  returned  with  only 
37,000  seals,  —  a  poor  return  for  their  labours.  The  summer  of  that 
year  was  almost  as  dismal  as  the  winter  had  been.  The  catch  of  codfish 
was  small,  and  the  price  low.  Multitudes  were  unemployed.  Then  came 
the  terrible  fires  of  November,  1817,  and  the  direst  suflferings  among 
the  people.  From  the  outports  came  piteous  appeals  to  the  Governor 
for  uid  to  save  the  lives  of  the  starving  inhabitants.  The  winter  was 
one  of  the  severest  on  record.  The  harbour  of  St.  John's  was  frozen  to 
the  very  entrance,  the  ice  being  several  feet  in  thickness.  It  was  at 
this  critical  time  that  the  benevolent  people  of  Boston,  hearing  of  the 
dire  disti'ess  in  Newfoundland,  raised  a  liberal  subscription,  and  freighted 
a  vessel  with  provisions  for  the  relief  of  the  sufferers.  Fortunately, 
this  vessel  arrived  in  the  middle  of  January,  before  the  ice  had  closed 
navigation.  She  had  on  board  174  barrels  of  flour,  125  bags  of  meal, 
11  tierces  of  rice,  27  barrels  and  963  bags  of  bread.  The  whole  was 
consigned  to  Governor  Pickmore,  to  be  distributed  among  the  poor. 

In  acknowledging  the  timely  offering  the  Governor  said:  *'  I  confess 
myself  unable  to  express  in  adequate  terms,  on  behalf  of  those  whose 
relief  has  been  the  object  of  the  humane  consideration  of  the  inhabitants 
of  Boston,  the  feelings  which  their  generous  act  has  excited.  Individu- 
ally I  desire  to  offer  ray  warmest  acknowledgments  to  them,  and  shall 
not  faU  to  conjmunicate  to  His  Majesty's  government  this  spontaneous 
act  of  liberality,  which,  in  its  effects,  I  trust,  will  tend  to  increase  and 
cement  more  firmly  the  relations  of  friendship  which  now  so  happily 
subsist  between  the  two  nations." 

The  foregoing  words  were  written  by  Admiral  Pickmore  only  a 
month  before  his  death.    He  was  the  first  governor  who  resided  in  the 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


143 


island  clurin<^  the  winter.  He  was  well  advanced  in  years ;  and  the 
troubles  and  anxieties  of  his  position  during'  those  trying  times  wore  out 
his  strength.  He  died  on  the  24th  of  February,  1818.  His  remains, 
after  lying  for  a  time  in  the  vault  of  the  church,  were  place  I  on  board  His 
Majesty's  sloop  "  Fly,"  with  eveiy  mark  of  respect  from  the  inhabitants, 
whose  gratitude  he  had  won  by  his  untiring  efforts  to  mitigate  their  suf- 
ferings. 

This  took  place  on  the  10th  of  March.  So  intense  was  the  frost,  as 
has  been  already  stated,  that,  though  several  hundred  men  were  employed 
in  cutting  a'passage  through  the  ice  in  the  harbour,  for  the  "Fly  "  and 
other  vessels  which  were  ready  for  sea,  three  weeks  were  spent  b(!- 
fore  the  object  was  accomplished.  The  ice  was  from  three  t)  five  feet 
thick,  and  the  distance  to  cut  the  channel  was  about  a  mile.  The  "  Fly  " 
reached  England  in  twenty -eight  days. 

The  sealing-vessels  made  their  way  through  these  ice-channels,  and 
soon  returned  well  loaded  with  seals.  An  abundant  cod-fishery  fol- 
lowed, as  generally  happens  after  a  severe  winter,  and  the  products 
brought  much  better  prices.  Hope  revived  in  the  breasts  of  the  much- 
enduring  people,  and  they  went  to  work  with  renewed  energies.  The 
rich  resources  of  the  fisheries  and  their  own  native  pluck  and  energy 
wei*e  such  that  calamities,  however  severe,  could  only  prove  temporary 
in  their  eflfects.  Prosperity  began  to  dawn,  and  their  sufferings  were 
forgotten. 

It  is  curious  to  note  the  line  of  action  taken  by  the  merchant-advent- 
urers who  still  carried  on  the  fishery  from  England  at  this  critical  time. 
They  still  ret-ained  their  old  hostility  to  a  population  resident  in  the 
island,  and  were  as  jealous  as  ever  of  its  interference  with  their  monopo- 
ly. When  the  commercial  crash  took  place  they  brought  the  distressed 
condition  of  the  colony  before  the  British  House  of  Commons,  and  a 
select  committee  was  appointed  to  investigate  matters.  Before  this  com- 
mittee the  merchants  appeared,  and  asked  that  either  a  bounty  should  be 
given  them  to  enable  them  to  compete,  on  equal  terms,  with  the  French 
and  Americans ;  or  that  the  principal  part  of  the  inhabitants  of  New- 
foundland, then  numbering  70,000,  should  be  transported  to  Canada  and 
the  Lower  Provinces.  This  removal  of  the  inhabitants  had  been  their 
favourite  remedy  for  the  relief  of  the  fisheries  for  ages  before.  In  1670  it 
is  on  record  that  '*  the  merchants,  ownera,  and  mastera  of  ships,  and  in- 
luibitants  of  the  western  parts  of  the  kingdom,  adventurers  to  Newfound- 
land, petitioned  Charles  II.,  that  the  resident  inhabitants  and  their 
lUmilics,  then  amounting  to  3,171,  should  be  removed  to  Jamaica,  St. 
Christopher's,  or  some  others  of  His  Majesty's  plantations."  The 
"Merry  Monarch " declined  to  carry  out  this  humane  suggestion;  and 
now  the  descendants  of  the  same  "  adventurers  "  actually  repeated  the 
proposal  in  lbl7,  when  70,090  people  would  have  to  bo  deported.  Of 
course  the  House  of  Commons  paid  no  attention  to  this  outrageous 


*         4 


144 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


demand,  nor  did  they  give  a  bounty  to  the  merchants,  which  it  was  their 
real  object  to  gain.  They  wisely  left  the  colonists  to  grapple  with  their 
diflBculties,  and  to  conquer  them  by  their  own  industry  and  perseverance. 
The  consequence  was  that  the  fishery  from  En^^'land,  by  the  merchant- 
adventurers,  declined  rapidly,  «nd  finally  ceased,  while  that  carried  on 
from  the  shores  of  the  island  expanded  and  prospered,  and,  with  the  aid 
dta-ived  from  agriculture,  mining,  and  other  resources,  now  sustains  a 
population  of  197,r)89. 

Cultivation  of  the  Soil.— The  "merchant-adventurers"  were 
never  weary  in  repeating  to  the  British  Government  that  the  soil  of  the 
island  was  utterly  unfit  for  cultivation.  Their  object  was  to  prevent  set- 
tlement, and,  for  this  purpose,  to  obtain  from  the  government  enact- 
ments prohibiting  any  enclosures  of  land.  It  was  naturally  said,  if 
nature  has  already  prohibited  cultivation  and  doomed  the  island  to  bar- 
renness, why  need  human  laws  raise  fui-ther  difficulties  ?  As  a  specimen 
of  the  mercantile  view  of  the  matter  we  may  quote  the  words  of  a  Mr. 
George  Kempt,  a  merchant,  who  was  examined  before  the  Parliamentary 
Committee  of  1817.  He  said :  "  The  island  is  composed  of  rock  of  gran- 
ite and  slate,  with  a  veiy  small  surface  of  soil ;  in  many  places  none  at 
all,  and  in  very  few  above  two  or  three  inches.  The  only  places  where 
there  is  any  quantity  of  soil  sufficient  for  c\\\ii\a.Won  are  the  bogsfhni 
these  cannot  be  drained.  There  is  no  limestone  in  the  island,  and  no 
source  of  manure  except  a  little  sea-weed  or  the  refuse  of  the  fish.  I 
beg,  therefore,  to  suggest  how  much  more  eligible  it  would  be  for 
Government  to  carry  the  inhabitants  "  (at  this  time  70,000  in  number) 
•'to  New  Brunswick  or  Upper  Canada."  This  veracious  gentleman 
wanted  to  keep  the  island  as  a  rock  on  which  the  servants  of  west-country 
merchants  might  dry  fish,  and  to  build  up  handsome  fortunes  for  their 
employers. 

Only  twenty-five  years  afterwards.  Sir  John  Harvey  became  gov- 
ernor. He  had  enjoyed  a  large  experience  in  the  neighbouring  provinces, 
and,  in  addressing  the  Legislature  in  1843,  he  said :  "  Here  I  will  not 
deny  myself  the  satisfaction  of  recording  this  public  declaration  of  my 
conviction,  derived  from  such  observation  and  information  as  a  residence 
in  the  island  for  upwards  of  a  year  has  enabled  me  to  acquire  :  that  both 
as  respects  climate  and  agricultural  capabilities  Newfoundland,  in  many 
respects,  need  not  shrink  from  a  comparison  with  t'le  most  favoux'ed  prov- 
inces of  British  America.  Its  summers,  though  short,  enjoy  an  extraor- 
dinary degree  of  vegetative  power,  which  only  requires  to  be  duly 
taken  advantage  of;  its  winters  are  neither  unusually  long  nor  severe, 
and  its  autumnal  seasons  are  as  open  and  as  fine  as  those  of  any  of  the 
surrounding  colonies.  In  point  of  rich,  natural  grasses  no  part  of  Brit- 
ish Noi*th  America  produces  greater  abundance.  Newfoundland,  in 
fact,  appears  to  me  to  be  calculated  to  become  essentially  a  rich  grazing 
countiy;  and  its  varied  agricultural  resources  appear  only  to  require 


■^r-'-f- 


N0TE8  AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


145 


roads  and  settlements  to  force  them  into  liighly  remunerative  develop- 
ments." 

Later  stiii  came  the  geological  sui'vey  under  Mr.  Murray,  who  de- 
clared that,  in  the  principal  valleys  alone,  there  were  three  taillious  of 
acres  of  land  well  adapted  for  settlement,  without  taking  int3  account 
areas  fitted  fur  grazing,  which  were  of  very  large  extent.  And  yet  for  a 
long  period  these  mercantile  monopolists  were  able  to  dupe  the  British 
government  and  people,  until  it  became  a  settled  belief  that  this  la.rge 
i:>land,  with  a  healthy  climate  and  good  soil,  situated  in  a  temperate  hXi- 
tude,  presented  insurmountable  obstacles  *o  agriculture. 

It  is  but  justice  to  state  that  the  pioneer  of  agriculture  in  Newfound- 
land, in  1806,  was  Dr.  William  Carson,  a  native  of  Scotland,  who  for 
many  years  practised  as  a  physician  in  St.  John's,  and  was  succeeded 
by  his  son.  Dr.  Samuel  Carson.  He  courageously  denounced  the  iniq- 
uitous laws  which  prohibited  the  cultivation  of  the  soil,  and  by  tongue 
and  pen  assailed  the  venerable  system.  He  ran  no  small  risk  of  being 
transported  for  his  temerity,  which,  in  those  days,  was  regarded  as  treason 
against  the  government  and  mcrcantocraoy.  He  persevered,  however ; 
declared  that  the  soil  was  equal  to  that  of  his  native  Scotland,  and  would 
weil  repay  cultivation.  He  was  regarded  as  a  visionary,  and  subjected  to 
ridicule  and  the  coarsest  abuse.  But  he  lived  to  see  his  views  approved 
by  a  large  majority.  In  1819  he  obtained  from  the  governor  a  grant  of 
a  tract  of  waste  land  near  St.  John's,  where  he  cleared  and  cultivated  a 
valuable  farm,  and  practically  illustrated  his  doctrines.  Two  other  agri- 
cultural pioneers  may  be  mentioned  :  Mr.  II.  P.  Thomas,  a  merchant,  in 
1827  cleared  250  acres,  four  miles  from  St.  John's,  and  occupied  it  sev- 
eral years,  until  it  repaid  the  whole  of  his  outlay,  when  he  leased  it  to  a 
Scotch  farmer,  who  is  said  to  have  cleared  £4,000  during  his  occupancy. 
Mr.  Robert  Pack,  merchant,  of  Carbonear,  also  obtained  a  grant  of  waste 
land,  a  mile  from  that  town,  which  he  brought  to  a  state  of  excellent  cul- 
tivation. These  good  examples  stirred  up  the  fishing  population  to  enter 
on  the  cultivation  of  the  soil,  and  the  enclosure  and  reclamation  of  land 
rapidly  advanced.  It  must  be  remembered,  too,  that  these  experiments 
were  made  near  St.  John's,  where  the  soil  is,  perhaps,  the  poorest  in  the 
island.  Now,  by  cultiv.ation,  the  whole  country  round  is  transformed  into 
smiling  farms  and  covered  with  homesteads.  When  so  much  can  be  done 
with  the  poorest  soil,  what  may  be  expected  when  the  fertile  valleys  of 
the  interior,  where  the  harsh  winds  from  the  Atlantic  are  not  felt,  and 
whei-e  a  higher  temperature  prevails,  are  occupied  and  cultivated  ?  The 
climate  of  the  interior  and  of  the  western  coast  is  unaffected  by  the  Arc- 
tic current,  which  chills  the  eastern  shores,  and  is  much  more  favourable 
for  growing  and  ripening  crops  of  all  kinds. 

The  Banks  of  Newfoundland. —The  Banks  of  Newfoundland 
are  the  most  remarkable  submarine  elevations  in  the  world.  They  are 
at  some  distance  from  the  shores  of  the  island,  the  nearest  being  less 


''rfff 


ti 


\^ 


J: 


146 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


BM: 


than  100  miles  distant.  It  was  once  supposed  that  they  had  been  formed 
by  masses  of  sand  and  rock,  borne  thither  by  the  river  St.  Lawrence, 
the  Gulf  Stream,  and  the  Arctic  current.  It  is  now  known  that  they  arc 
immense  rocky  elevations,  forming  submarine  plateaus,  whose  eastern 
and  southern  boi'dei-s  descend  steeply  to  a  great  deptli.  The  Great  Bank 
extends  over  fully  9  degrees  of  latitude  from  north  to  south ;  from 
east  to  west  it  covers  in  some  places  5  degrees.  The  depth  of  water 
on  the  Bank  varies  I'rom  50  to  360  feet.  Beyond  the  Grand  Bank  to  the 
eastward  lies  the  Outer  or  False  Bank,  upon  which  the  sea  is  from  600  to 
900  feet  in  depth.  To  the  west  there  are  several  smaller  banks.  At  the 
west  end  of  the  Great  Bank  soundings  have  shown  a  depth  of  9,000  feet. 
The  depth  around  the  Bank  is  from  10,000  to  10,000  feet.  The  fishing- 
grounds  do  not  extend  over  the  whole  Bank,  but  have  an  extent  of 
about  200  miles  in  length  and  67  in  breadth.  For  nearly  400  years  this 
"  cod-meadow  "  has  been  fished  by  large  fleets  of  various  natious,  without 
showing  any  decrease  in  productiveness. 

The  cod  taken  on  the  Banks  are  larger  and  finer  in  quality  than  the  fish 
taken  on  the  shores  of  the  island  or  on  I^abrador.  They  are  known  as 
*'  Bank-fish."  An  average  of  thirty  Bank  cod,  when  dried,  will  make  a 
quintal.  They  bring  a  higher  price  than  shore  fish.  The  prevalent 
opinion  is  that  the  Bank  cod  arc  a  dilferent  species  from  those  taken  on  the 
shore.  The  eminent  Swedish  naturalist,  Sars,  has  recently  proved  bj'  his 
researches  that  this  is  a  mistake,  and  that  the  shore  and  Bank  cod  are  really 
the  same  species.  The  Bank  cod  are  merely  the  mature,  full-grown  cod 
that  have  reached  their  fourth  year  or  upwards ;  their  habits  at  that  age 
leading  them  to  prefer  the  Banks  to  the  shore  as  feeding-grounds.  The 
two-year  old  and  three-year  old  cod  remain  on  the  shore  all  the  year, 
passing  to  and  from  the  shallower  water.  When  four  years  old  their 
reproductive  instincts  are  developed ;  and  after  spawning  they  retire  far 
from  the  coast,  and  are  found  on  the  submarine  slopes  and  valleys 
of  the  Great  Banks.  On  the  Labrador  coast  and  on  Fininark,  in 
Norway,  great  numbers  of  small  cod  are  taken,  from  18  to  22  inches  in 
length;  and  these  are  probably  schools  in  their  second  or  third  yea  , 
which  in  a  season  or  two,  when  mature,  will  change  their  mode  of 
existence  and  become  Bank  fish. 

The  cod  begin  to  appear  each  year,  on  the  coast  of  Newfoundland, 
about  the  1st  of  June,  and  are  preceded  by  enoi'mous  schools  of  capliu, 
on  which  they  feed.  On  the  coast  of  the  island  the  fishing-season  lasts 
about  143  days ;  on  Southern  Labrador,  87  days ;  on  Northern  Labrador, 
52  days.  In  October  the  cod  begin  to  retire  to  their  winter  feeding- 
grounds  in  deep  water,  vrhere  they  remain  till  the  following  June.  Their 
migrations  are  thus  from  the  deep  water  to  the  shallower  water  near  the 
shore,  which,  being  wanner  in  summer,  is  favourable  for  spawning. 
Each  colony  of  cod  appears  to  have  its  own  winter  feeding-ground,  in 
deep  water,  at  no  great  distance  from  the  coast,  and  passes  thence  to  its 


§ 


CHRONOLOGY. 


147 


summcr-fecclinf?  and  spawning-grouiuls  by  the  shortest  route.  It  is  a 
peculiarity  of  the  coil,  and  of  all  fish,  that  they  icturu  to  the  locality  where 
they  were  spawned  to  "  repeat  the  story  of  tlieir  hirth  "  hy  a  continua- 
tion of  the  species.  Hence  the  same  varieties  of  cod  are  found  on  tlie 
same  fishing-grounds  year  after  year,  and  are  easily  distinguisiiahle,  one 
from  the  other;  those  taken  at  the  north  of  the  island,  for  example,  being 
different  from  the  southern  varieties. 


CHRONOLOGICAL   SUMMARY.  —  CHAPTER  XIIL 


A.D. 

1815 
1816 


m 


Commercial  disasters  in  Newfoundland. 

Admiral  Piekraore,  first  resident   governor  in  Newfound- 
land. 
1816-17.    Three  great  Fires  in  St.  John's,  N.F. 
1817.   Death  of  the  Princess  Charlotte. 

1819.  The  Atlantic  first  crossed  by  Steam. 

1820.  George  IV.  began  to  reign. 

1821.  Death  of  Napoleon  Bonaparte,  at  St.  Helena. 

1824.  Supreme  Court  reorganized  in  Newfoundland. 

1825.  Louis  XVIII.  died. 

First  roads  made  in  Newfoundland. 
1827.    Battle  of  Navarino.  '     •  * 

1829.  Catholic  Emancipation  granted.  • 

1830.  William  IV.  began  to  reign. 

First  Railway  opened  between  Liverpool  and  Manchester. 
Charles  X.,  of  France,  dethroned. 

1831.  First  Appearance  of  Cholera  in  England. 

1832.  First  Reform  Act  passed  in  England. 
Representative  Government  granted  to  Newfoundland. 

1833.  Slavery  abolished  by  England.  '    . 
1837.   Queen  Victoria  began  to  reign. 

The  Papineau  and  McKenzie  Rebellion  in  Canada. 

1839.  Penny  postage  in  England. 
First  Afghan  War, 

1840.  Marriage  of  Queen  Victoria  and  Prince  Albert. 
The  two  Canadas  united. 

1842.   The  Ashburton  Treaty  between  England  and  the  United 

States. 
1842-49.    •*  Amalgamated  Assembly  "  in  Newfoundland. 


■^ 


I 


!#• 


!i' 


148 


CHRONOLOGY. 


Vi 


\\ 


1845. 
1846. 

1847. 
1848. 


1861. 


1852. 
1853. 
1854. 


1855. 

'    1857. 

1858. 

1861. 


Famine  in  Ireland. 

Great  Fire  in  St.  John's,  N.F. 

Repeal  of  the  Corn  Laws. 

Responsible  Government  granted  to  Canada. 

Responsible  Government  granted  to  Nova  Scotia  and  New 

Brunswick.  ' 

Third  French  Revolution  —  Louis  Pliilippe  dethroned. 
First  Submarine  Cables  between  England  and  France. 
First  Great  Exhibition  in  London. 

Responsible  Government  granted  to  Prince  Edward  Island. 
Submarine  Cable  between  England  and  Ireland. 
North-west  Passage  discovered  by  McClure. 
Responsible  Government  granted  to  Newfoundland. 
Reciprocity  Treaty  between  United   States    and    British 

Provinces. 
Russian  War  —  Battles  of  Alma,  Balaklava,  and  Inkerman. 
Fall  of  Sebastopol. 
Death  of  Czar  Nicholas. 
Mutiny    in    India  —  Massacre    of    Cawnpore  —  Sieges   of 

Lucknow  and  Delhi. 
Great  Eastern  Steamship  launched. 
First  Atlantic  Cable  laid. 

Ameri'*an  Civil  War  commenced  —  ended  1865. 
Death  of  Prince  Albert. 


1861.] 


IMPORTANT  EVENTS. 


149 


:ii 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


FROM     1861    TO    1884. 


IMPORTANT    EVENTS. 


FAILURE  OF  THE  FISHERIES.  —  DESTITUTION  AND  SUFFERING 

—  EVILS   OF    PAUPER    RELIEF,  —  FIRST    MINE    OPENED 

—  GEOLOGICAL  SURVEY.  —  OCEANIC  AND  COASTAL 
STEAM  SERVICES.  —  IMPROVEMENT  IN  THE  FISHERIES. 
FIRST    RAILWAY. DRY    DOCK    OPENED. 

1,  It  now  remains  briefly  to  narrate  the  most  important 
events  in  the  history  of  the  colony  during  the  last  twenty- 
four  years.  The  first  nine  years  of  that  period  were 
marked  by  unproductive  fisheries,  which  caused  wide- 
spread destitution  and  much  suffering  among  the  people. 
Since  1855  a  practice  had  grown  up  of  distributing,  out 
of  the  public  funds,  relief  to  those  who  were  in  want 
during  the  winter  season.  This  dangerous  system  of 
giving  pauper-relief  to  able-bodied  persons  soon  pro- 
duced most  injurious  results.  Many  speedily  learned  to 
rely  on  this  relief,  and  to  look  for  it  as  a  right  each 
winter  season.  In  consequence  they  became  indolent 
and  reckless,  and  made  little  effort  to  provide  for  them- 
selves by  honest  labour  and  economy.  So  numerous 
became  the  applicants  for  relief  that  at  length  they 
ceased  to  feel  any  shame  at  being  placed  on  the  pauper- 
iist.  Ere  long  nearly  a  third  of  the  entire  revenue  was 
required  for  the  relief  of  the  destitute.  The  evil  had 
reached  such  dimensions  that  the  government  found 
great  diflSculty  in  dealing  with  it,  especially  when 
repeated  failures  of  the  fisheries  had  impoverished  large 


150 


IMPORTANT  EVENTS. 


[1861> 


'■■\ 


' 


numbers  of  the  fishermen,  who  had  no  other  means  of 
subsistence. 

2.  Sir  Alexander  Bannerman,  the  Governor,  when 
opening  the  legislative  session  in  1860,  referred  to  tliis 
condition  of  the  working-classes,  and  urged  that  "  no 
pains  should  be  spared  to  give  encouragement  to  agri- 
culture, and  to  every  other  source  that  can  give  employ- 
ment to  the  labouring  classes,  to  prevent  as  far  as  possible 
their  resorting  to  pauper  relief."  The  revenue  of  1861 
fell  to  £81,000,  and  the  public  debt,  which  had  been 
mainly  incurred  in  meeting  the  necessities  of  the 
destitute,  now  amounted  to  £180,000.  The  Governor's 
speech,  in  1863,  again  announced  "  wide-spread 
pauperism,"  in  consequence  of  the  failure  of  the 
previous  year's  lisheries.  In  1864  Mr.  Anthony  Mus- 
grave  was  appointed  Governor.  He  had  to  repeat  the 
same  sad  tale  for  four  successive  years,  in  addressing 
the  legislators.  No  improvement  in  the  fisheries  took 
place,  want  among  the  people  deepened  and  extended, 
and  the  financial  condition  of  the  conntrv  became  worse 
and  worse.  During  this  period  of  depression  large 
numbers  of  the  people  emigrated  to  the  United  States 
and  Canada,  despairing  of  their  prospects  in  the  colony. 

3.  The  cause  of  these  sufferings  was  very  easily  dis- 
covered. The  great  bulk  of  the  i^eople  were  entirely 
dependent  on  the  precarious  fisheries,  and,  when  these 
gave  poor  returns,  the}'  had  no  other  resource  on  which 
they  could  fall  back.  The  population  had  been  steadily 
increasing.  The  census  of  1857  gave  the  total  population 
of  the  island  as  124,288.  The  census  of  1869  showed 
that  the  population  had  increased  to  146,536.  Mean- 
time the  products  of  the  fisheries  had  fallen  off,  and  it 
became  evident  that  a  rapidly  increasing  population 
could  no  longer  be  sustained  by  a  single  industry.     The 


.  i 


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%. 


i.  .    4,,  l'^J-:-j,£->*' ■♦4'A\vi"'*'-     I?''   /■■,V^V'/^.■.^,:i    i-r:,\^'ti      ■•■,f,. 


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BBTT'S  COVB   UARBOUA,   NOTBK  UA'MK   BAY. 


mi 


1884.] 


IMPORTANT  EVENTS. 


151 


plain  remedy  lay  in  opening  up  other  sources  of  em- 
ployment for  the  people.  The  soil  and  climate  were 
well  adapted  to  the  requirements  of  the  farmer ;  but  the 
old  restrictive  system  had  repressed  agriculture  in  for- 
mer periods,  and  the  want  of  roads  still  rendered  it 
impossible  to  settle  the  fertile  valleys  of  the  interior. 
With  rich  natural  resources  all  around,  large  numbers  of 
the  people  were  sinking  into  destitution  and  misery. 
To  all  discerning  minds  it  became  clear  that  the  remedy 
lay  in  promoting  the  cultivation  of  the  soil,  and  encour- 
aging other  industries  of  a  local  kind,  in  which  the  sur 
plus  population  might  find  remunerative  employment. 

4.  It  was  at  this  dark  period  in  the  history  of  the 
colony  that  a  most  important  discovery  was  made,' 
which  aided  largely  in  bringing  about  an  improved  con- 
dition of  affairs,  and  in  diffusing  new  spirit  and  energy 
among  the  people.  This  was  the  discovery  of  valuable 
mineral  deposits  on  the  shores  of  Notre  Dame  Bay, 
leading  to  the  introduction  of  mining  enterprises.  The 
first  copper-mine  was  opened  at  Tilt  Cove,  in  the  year 
1864.  The  honour  of  being  the  pioneer  in  mining  be- 
longs to  Mr.  C.  F.  Bennett,  who  for  a  length  of  time 
was  almost  alone  in  prosecuting  the  search  for  minerals 
in  the  island.  The  honour  of  being  the  actual  discoverer 
of  the  first  copper-mine  belongs  to  Mr.  Smith  Mackay. 
In  1857,  when  exploring  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
island,  Mr.  Mackay  found  what  proved  to  be  a  large 
deposit  of  copper  ore,  at  a  little  fishing  hamlet  called 
Tilt  Cove.  It  was  not  worked  effectually  by  Messrs. 
Bennett  and  Mackay,  the  proprietors,  till  1864.  At  the 
close  of  1879  this  mine  had  yielded  neary  52,000  tons 
of  ore,  valued  at  more  than  a  million  and  a  half  of 
dollars.  In  1876  another  copper-mine  was  opened  at 
Bett's  Cove,  which,  at  the  end  of   1879,  had  yielded 


V. 


i 


w 


152 


IMPORTANT  EVENTS. 


[1861' 


m 


HI 
I 


125,556  tons  of  ore,  valued  at  $2,982,836,  The  total 
quantity  of  ore  exported  up  to  the  close  of  1879 
was  valued  at  $4,629,899,  or  nearly  £1,000,000 
sterling.  A  third  mine  was  opened  at  Little  Bay,  in 
1878,  which  proved  to  be  more  valuable  than  either  of 
the  others.  Various  other  mines  have  been  worked  with 
more  or  less  success,  and  mining  is  now  an  established 
iudustry  in  the  island,  which  ranks  sixth  among  the 
copper-producing  countries  of  the  world.  It  is  now 
known  that  there  are  in  Newfoundland  over  5,000  square 
miles  of  mineral  lands,  in  which  there  can  be  little 
doubt  rich  discoveries  await  future  explorers. 

6.  The  beneficial  effects  of  this  new  industry  were 
speedily  felt.  Hundreds  received  remunerative  employ- 
ment at  the  mines.  Capital  was  attracted  to  the  coun- 
try. Large  amounts  of  money  were  distributed  as 
wages.  The  working-classes  were  better  provided  with 
the  necessaries  and  comforts  of  life.  A  more  hopeful 
and  enterprising  spirit  was  awakened  ;  and  greater  con- 
fidence in  the  future  of  the  colony  bep;an  to  be  felt. 

6,  These  hopeful  views  regarding  the  natural  capa- 
bilities of  the  country  were  greatly  strengthened  and 
extended  by  the  results  of  the  geological  survey  of  the 
island,  which  was  commenced,  under  the  auspices  of  the 
government,  in  1864.  This  survey  was  conducted  by 
Mr.  Alexander  Murray,  assisted  latterly  by  Mr.  James 
P.  Howley.  The  work  was  prosecuted  for  eighteen 
years.  For  the  first  time  the  natural  resources  of  the 
country  were  examined  and  reported  on  by  well-quali- 
fied, scientific  men.  People  learned  from  the  reports  of 
this  survey,  published  yearlj',  and  on  authority  that 
could  not  be  questic  ied,  that  the  interior  of  Newfound- 
laud  contains  many  fertile  valleys,  in  which  thousands 
of  industrious  settlers  may  find  homes  ;  extensive  forests 


1884.] 


IMPORTANT  EVENTS. 


153 


of  great  value ;  beds  of  coal,  marble,  and  gypsum ;  and 
mineral  tracts  which  the  labours  of  many  generations  are 
not  likely  to  exhaust.  Messrs.  Murray  and  Howley's 
reports  showed  that  there  are  nearly  three  millions  of 
acres  more  or  less  adapted  for  settlement,  and  immense 
tracts  fitted  for  raising  sheep  and  cattle.  It  is  now 
placed  beyond  all  doubt  tliat  the  island  presents  a  prom- 
ising field  for  mining  enterprises,  and  contains  enough 
of  fertile  land  to  sustain  a  large  population  in  comfort. 

7.  The  year  1869  brought  a  favourable  turn  in  the 
tide  of  affairs,  in  the  shape  of  abundant  fisheries,  —  the 
first  for  nine  years  which  could  be  called  generally  suc- 
cessful. Many  of  the  people  had  been  devoting  them- 
selves more  to  the  cultivation  of  the  land,  and  the 
harvest  of  thir.  year  was  good.  The  improvement  in  the 
fisheries  in  18G9  proved  to  be  the  commencement  of  a 
series  of  productive  fisheries,  which  continued  up  to 
the  summer  of  1884,  when  a  decline  took  place.  This 
increase  is  accompanied  by  an  advance  in  the  price  of 
the  coci-lishery  products  in  foreign  markets.  The  sun 
of  prosperity  once  more  began  to  shine.  The  wonderful 
elasticity  of  the  business  of  the  country  was  shown  in 
its  rapid  recovery  from  depression.  Harvests  proved  to 
be  fairly  good.  The  revenue  derived  from  duties  on  im- 
portations increased  as  the  people  were  able  to  purchase 
more  freely  the  necessaries  and  comforts  of  life.  In 
1871  the  revenue  amounted  to  £207,790,  —  the  largest 
ever  received.  The  new  industry  of  mining  advanced  . 
rapidly.  The  improved  condition  of  the  revenue  per- 
mitted increased  grants  to  be  made  for  the  construction 
of  roads,  bridges,  wharves,  light-houses,  and  other 
works  of  public  utility. 

8.  A  general  election  took  place  towards  the  close  of 
1869,  when  Sir  Stephen  Hill  was  Governor.     The  impo**- 


154 


IMPORTANT  EVENTS. 

i 


[1861- 


tant  question  was  then  submitted  to  the  electors,  whether 
steps  should  be  taken  to  unite  the  colony  with  the  newly 
formed  Dominion  of  Canada,  so  as  to  constitute  one  of 
its  provinces.  The  results  of  the  election  showed  that  a 
large  majority  of  the  people  were  opposed  to  confedera- 
tion with  Canada.  So  strongly  did  public  feeling  show 
itself  that  the  question  of  union  with  the  Dominion  has 
ever  since  been  entirely  laid  aside. 

9.  In  1873  direct  steam  communiQation  with  England 
and  America  was  established.  The  arrangement  entered 
into  with  the  Montreal  Steamship  Company,  for  the  con- 
veyance of  mails,  passengers,  and  goods,  secured  fort- 
nightly calls  of  homeward  and  outward  bound  ships  of 
the  Allan  Line,  at  St.  John's,  during  nine  months  of  the 
year,  and  monthly  trips,  via  Halifax,  during  the  remain- 
der. The  latter  have  recently  become  fortnightly  trips 
also.  The  trade  and  commerce  of  the  country  were 
greatly  benefited  by  this  improved  means  of  communica- 
tion with  the  outside  world.  Local  steam  communication 
between  St.  John's  and  the  most  important  towns  and 
settlements  north  and  south  was  also  improved  and  ex- 
tended. The  interests  of  education  were  not  forgotten. 
The  legislative  grant  for  the  support  of  schools  and 
academies  was  increased  to  $93,952  per  annum.  In 
1881  there  were  in  the  island  416  elementary  schools, 
attended  by  24,292  pupils,  and  674  pupils  attending 
the  academies ;  while  there  were  84  pupil  teachers  under 
training,  to  take  charge  of  schools.  In  St.  John's, 
factories  of  various  kinds  began  to  spring  up,  affording 
increased  employment  to  considerable  numbers.  These 
have  proved  so  successful  that  every  year  witnesses  an 
increase  of  their  number. 

10.  These  were  all  substantial  and  cheering  improve- 
ments, indicating  an  advance  of  the  colony  in  all  the 


1884.] 


IMPORTANT  EVENTS, 


155 


great  essentials  of  civilization.  But  the  greatest  stride 
in  progress  still  remained  to  be  taken.  iVhile  in  all  the 
neighbouring  colonies  extensive  lines  «>f  railway  had 
been  constructed  and  worked  most  advantageously,  in 
Newfoundland  not  a  mile  of  railway  had  yet  been  built. 
Now,  however,  when  a  knowledge  of  the  great  natural 
resources  of  the  country  had  been  diffused,  and  when 
the  necessity  of  providing  new  means  of  employment 
for  the  increasing  population  had  secured  the  attention 
of  thoughtful  men,  the  construction  of  a  railway,  to 
open  up  the  country  to  industrial  enterprise,  began  to  be 
discussed.  At  first  many  objections  were  raised,  and- 
many  shrank  from  the  proposal,  believing  a  railway  to 
be  unnecessary,  and  beyond  the  means  of  the  colony. 
New  projects  of  this  kind  are  sure  to  encounter  more  or 
less  opposition.  The  question,  however,  still  pressed 
for  solution:  "What  are  we  to  do  in  the  future,  with 
our  ever-increasing  population,  who  cannot  find  suste- 
nance from  the  employment  furnished  by  the  fisheries  ? 
Here  are  fertile  lands  and  great  forests.  How  are  we  to 
bring  together  the  idle  hands  and  the  unoccupied  lands  ?  " 
The  project  of  a  railway  continued  to  grow  in  public 
favour,  and,  at  length,  in  1875,  the  Legislature  voted  a 
sura  of  money  for  a  preliminary  survey  of  a  line  from 
St.  John's  to  St.  George's  Bay,  which  was  carried  out 
the  same  year.  It  was  afterwards  found  that  the  British 
Government  could  not  be  induced  to  sanction  the  con- 
struction of  this  line,  as  its  terminus  would  be  on  the 
so-called  "  French  Shore,"  regarding  which  negotiations 
with  France  were  then  in  progress.  The  matter,  there- 
fore, had  to  be  laid  aside  for  a  time. 

11.  In  the  summer  of  1876  the  Fishery  Commission, 
in  connection  with  the  Treaty  of  Washington,  met  in 
Halifax.     The  Hon.  W.  V.  Whiteway  was  the  delegate 


1 
1 

i 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

■ 

156 


IMPORTANT  EVENTS. 


[1861- 


M 


iiUHi 

mm 

\ 

i  ,.;  ■  • 

k  ; 

il 

» 

1  •% 

ii 

from  Newfoundland.  The  Commission  awarded  five  and 
a  lialf  millions  of  dollars  as  compensation  for  fisheries' 
rights  extended  to  the  United  States  by  the  Biitish 
Provinces.  Of  this  sum  Newfoundland  received  one 
million  dollars. 

12.  Sir  John  Hawley  Glover  was  appointed  Governor 
in  1876.  He  proved  himself  to  be  possessed  of  en- 
lightened and  progressive  views,  and  energetically  urged 
forward  public  improvements.  In  order  to  acquaint 
himself  with  the  condition  of  the  country  and  the  wants 
of  the  people  he  made  repeated  voyages  to  different 
places  around  the  coast.  In  the  autumn  of  1878  he 
mad?  a  journey  across  the  island  from  Hall's  Bay  to  Baj* 
of  Islands.  In  opening  the  Legislature,  the  following 
year,  he  said :  "  My  visit  forcibly  impressed  me  with  the 
rich  agricultural  resources  of  this  portion  of  the  island, 
and  the  value  of  the  forest  lands,  —  provisions  of  nature 
destined  soon  to  attract  and  reward  large  numbers  of 
industrious  settlers."  , 

13.  During  the  legislative  session  of  1880  decisive 
steps  were  taken  towards  the  construction  of  a  railway. 
Sir  W.  V.  Whiteway,  prea\ier,  moved  that  the  colony 
should,  out  of  its  own  revenues,  construct  a  railway  of 
about  340  miles  in  length,  from  St.  John's  to  Hall's  Bay, 
in  the  mining  district,  having  branches  to  Harbour 
Grace,  Brigus,  and  other  centres  of  population.  Such  a 
line,  he  showed,  would  open  up  the  fertile  lands  in  the 
valleys  of  the  Gambo,  Gander,  and  Exploits,  and  would 
connect  the  mining  region  and  various  populous  districts 
with  the  capital.  The  question  was  referred  to  a  joint- 
committee  composed  of  members  of  both  branches  of 
the  Legislature.  Their  report  was  highly  favourable  to 
the  construction  of  this  line  of  railway,  and  recom- 
mended that  £1,000,000  sterling  should  be  borrowed  on 


1884.] 


IMPORTANT  EVENTS. 


157 


the  credit  of  the  colony,  aud  the  work  at  once  com- 
menced. Jn  the  following  year,  1881,  the  Legislature 
entered  into  a  contract  with  "  the  Newfoundland  Rail- 
way Company  "  for  the  construction  and  operation  of  this 
line,  for  which  they  agreed  to  give  the  company  an  annual 
subsidy,  and  also  grants  of  land  on  each  side  of  the 
railway.    On  the  9th  of  August,  1881,  the  first  sod  of 


OOVERNMBNT  HOVBB. 


the  railway  was  turned.  The  event  marks  an  important 
epoch  in  the  history  of  the  colony.  In  December,  1884, 
the  first  86  miles  of  the  line  were  completed  and  opened 
for  traffic,  between  St.  John's  and  Harbour  Grace,  —  the 
second  town  in  the  island.  Large  sums  of  money  were  paid 
to  the  labouring-class  who  were  employed  on  the  work, 
while  the  trading-classes  also  shared  in  the  benefits. 

14.  In  1881  Sir  Henry  Fitzhardinge  Maxse  was  ap- 
pointed Governor.  At  the  opening  of  the  Legislature,  in 
1882,  Sir  F.  B.  Carter,  who  acted  as  administrator  of  the 
government,  in  the  absence  of  the  Governor,  caused  by  ill- 


158 


IMPORTANT  EVENTS. 


[1884. 


health,  announced  in  the  opening  speech  that  the  imperial 
authorities  had  at  length  authorized  the  local  government 
to  make  land  grants  and  issue  mining  licenses  on  that 
part  of  the  coast  on  which  the  French  have  fishing- 
privileges.  He  also  stated  that  the  people  residing  on 
that  part  of  the  coast  were  in  future  to  elect  two  repre- 
sentatives in  the  House  of  Assembly.  Thus  the  boon 
for  which  the  people  of  the  colony  had  been  pleading  in 
vain  for  many  years  was  at  length  granted.  All  restric- 
tions on  the  exercise  of  territorial  rights  were  removed, 
and  nearly  one-half  the  island,  hitherto  closed,  was  now 
thrown  open  for  settlement  and  industrial  enterprise. 

16.  Another  great  public  work  was  entered  on  in 
1882.  This  was  the  construction  of  a  dry-dock  in  the 
harbour  of  St.  John's.  The  Legislature  entered  into  a 
contract  for  its  construction  and  operation  with  Messrs. , 
J.  E.  Simpson  &  Sons,  of  New  York.  The  cost  of  the 
construction,  with  all  the  necessary  workshops  and 
apparatus,  was  $550,000.  The  contractors  afterwards 
agreed  to  take  a  lease  of  it  for  ten  years,  at  $15,000  per 
annum,  which  leaves  but  $9,000  a  year  of  interest  to  be 
paid  by  the  colony.  It  is  one  of  the  largest  and  finest 
docks  in  the  world,  being  600  feet  in  length,  132  feet  at 
its  widest  part,  and  having  a  draught  of  water  of  25  feet 
over  the  gate-cill  at  high  water.  It  is  suflScient  to  admit 
the  largest  ocean  steamer  afloat,  except  the  "  Great  East- 
ern." The  work  was  commenced  in  May,  1883,  and  com- 
pleted in  December,  1884,  when  it  was  formally  opened 
by  the  entrance  into  the  dock  of  H.M.S.  "  Tenedos,"  in 
presence  of  an  immense  concourse  of  people. 

In  1883  Sir  Henry  Maxse  died  in  St.  John's,  after  a 
lengthened  illness.  Soon  after.  Sir  John  H.  Glover  was 
reappointed  as  Governor.  He  arrived  in  July,  1884,  and 
received  a  cordial  welcome  from  all  classes. 


QUESTIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION. 


159 


QUESTIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION   ON  CHAPTER  XIV. 

I,  In  what  condition  was  the  colony  from  1860  to  1869? 
Point  out  the  evils  of  giving  pauper  relief  to  able-bodied  persons. 

2*  What  was  the  revenue  and  what  the  public  debt  in  1801? 
Who  was  Governor  in  1864?  What  was  the  result  of  the  depres- 
sion then  existing? 

3.  Point  out  the  causes  which  led  to  the  impoverished  condi- 
tion of  the  people.     What  was  the  remedy? 

4.  When  and  by  whom  was  the  first  copper-mine  discovered? 
Who  was  the  pioneer  of  mining?  Describe  the  amounts  yielded 
by  the  mines  till  1879.     What  is  the  extent  of  the  mineral  lands? 

6,  What  benefits  flowed  from  the  mining  industry? 

O.  Describe  the  commencement  and  results  of  the  geological 
survey.     What  are  the  agricultural  capabilities  of  the  island? 

7.  When  did  the  fisheries  begin  to  improve  ?  Describe  the 
results. 

5.  What  question  was  decided  in  the  elections  of  1869? 

O,  Describe  the  arrangements  for  oceanic  and  local  steam 
services.  What  improvements  in  education  were  effected?  Give 
the  number  of  schools  and  pupils.  What  was  the  benefit  of  fac- 
tories? 

lO.  What  great  step  in  progress  was  next  taken?  What 
necessity  for  railways  existed?  Point  out  their  benefits.  When 
was  the  first  survey  made? 

II.  What  was  the  Fishery  Commission?  What  its  award 
to  Newfoundland? 

12*  Who  was  made  Governor  in  1876?  What  did  he  say  of 
the  country  which  he  explored? 

13.  Who  proposed,  in  the  Legislature,  the  construction  of  the 
first  railway?  Describe  its  progress.  When  was  it  opened  to 
Harbour  Grace? 

14.  Who  was  Governor  in  1881?  What  important  change  in 
connection  with  the  so-called   "French   Shore"  was   made   in 

.1881? 

15.  What  great  public  work  was  entered  on  in  1882?  Giye 
the  particulars  of  the  construction  of  the  dry-dock. 


4l 


160 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS.— CHAPTER  XIV. 

St.  John's  Water- Works. — The  terrible  devastations  wrought 
by  lire  in  the  capital  at  lcn;,'th  taught  the  people  the  necessity  of  intro- 
ducing 9'ich  a  supply  of  water  as  would  prove  a  safeguard  against  the 
destroyer.  After  the  great  fire  of  1846  the  city  was  rebuilt  on  an 
improved  plan,  the  streets  were  widened,  and  tire-breaka  provided. 
Wooden  buildings  in  the  business  part  of  the  city  were  prohibited.  It 
was  not,  however,  till  1860  that  the  present  abundant  supply  of  excellent 
water  was  secured.  The  water  is  conducted  in  pipes  from  Windsor  Lake, 
five  miles  distant  from  St.  John's,  and  situated  at  a  height  above  it  of  600 
feet.  The  pressure  is  thus  so  great  that  there  is  no  need  of  engines,  as 
water  from  the  hydrants  can  be  thrown  over  the  highest  buildings.  The 
supply  of  water  is  abundant,  and  the  consumption  uurestricted.  Three 
millious  of  gallons  arc  run  off  daily  in  the  city.  The  water  is  soft,  pure, 
and  excellent  for  all  household  purposes.  There  are  efficient  volunteer 
fire-brigades.  No  fire  of  any  considerable  extent  has  occurred  since  the 
introduction  of  the  water,  and  few  cities  enjoy  greater  security  against 
fire,  notwithstanding  that  two-thirds  of  it  c<.nsist  of  wooden  houses. 

The  water-works  were  constructed  by  a  joint-stock  company,  with  a 
capital  of  $400,000,  the  interest  on  which  is  guaranteed  by  government 
at  the  rate  of  five  per  cent.,  and  paid  by  a  rate  levied  on  the  consumers. 
The  importance  of  such  a  supply  of  Avater  cannot  be  overrated,  as  it  has 
greatly  improved  the  public  health,  and  promoted  habits  of  cleanliness 
among  the  working-classes,  as  well  as  provided  a  security  against  fires. 
The  reduction  in  the  rates  of  fire  insm-ance  since  the  new  supply  of  water 
covers  the  water-rates. 

History  of  the  Seal-Fishery. — While  the  cod-fishery  has  been 
prosecuted  for  nearly  400  years,  the  seal-fishery  is  not  more  than  80  years 
old,  and  may  be  said  to  date  from  1805.  Hackluyt,  the  historian  of  the 
early  voyagers,  tells  us  that  "  in  1593  there  were  on  the  shores  of  the 
island  of  Ramea,  within  the  Straits  of  St.  Peter,  on  the  back  of  New- 
foundland, chiefly  in  April,  May,  and  June,  multitudes  of  amphibious 
creatures  called  vaccoe  marinm^  or  morses,  the  two  large  teeth  of  which, 
resembling  ivory,  and  their  oil  were  considered  as  valuable  articles  of 
commerce;  that  Captain  Drake  found  there  a  ship  belonging  to  the 
inhabitants  of  St.  Malo,  almost  full-freighted  with  morses ;  that  he  also 
obseived  several  whales  of  an  enormous  size,  together  with  great  num- 
bers of  seals  and  porpoises,  of  which  they  killed  several."  Up  to  1774 
this  fisheiy  referred  to  by  Hackluyt  was  prosecuted  around  the  island. ! 
The  "  sea-cow  or  morse  "  of  those  days  was  the  walrus,  and  was  valuable 
for  its  oil,  skin,  and  tusks,  the  latter  furnishing  the  best  ivoiy.  These 
tusks,  two  in  number,  hang  from  the  upper  jaw,  and  by  them  the  walrus 
lifts  itself  on  the  ice.    Gradually  the  animal  became  extinct  in  those  seas, 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


161 


and  is  now  confined  to  the  Arctic  regions.  A  whale-fishery  was  carried 
on  from  1760  for  a  number  of  years  in  the  gulf  and  river  of  St.  Law- 
rence, to  which  the  New  England  people  at  one  time  sent  from  60  to  80 
vessels  annually.  A  few  whales  are  still  taken  in  Fortune  Bay,  but  the 
fishery  is  now  unimportant. 

The  first  mention  of  a  seal-fisheiy  is  by  L'Abbe  Baynal,  who  tells  us, 
that,  as  early  as  1763,  some  English  fishermen  used  to  repair  to  certain 
parts  of  the  coast  of  Newfoundland,  during  winter,  for  the  prosecution 
of  the  seal-fishery.  This  was  an  inshore  net-fishery,  and  was  curried 
on  upon  a  small  scale,  and  is  still  followed  along  shore,  in  some  favourable 
localities.  The  fishermen  place  their  nets  between  the  shore  and  the 
islands  or  rocks  lying  at  a  shoi-t  d'^tance  from  it,  and  the  seals,  in  passing 
these  narrow  places,  are  caught. 

The  next  step  in  the  seal-fishery  was  the  shooting  of  seals  from  large 
boats,  which  left  port  about  the  middle  of  April.  As  late  as  1795  the 
whole  catch  of  seals  was  under  5,000.  Soon  after,  the  sealing-boats  gave 
place  to  small  schooners  of  thirty  to  fifty  tons,  canying  twelve  to  fourteen 
men  each,  and  not  leaving  port  till  after  March  21st.  Conception  Bay 
led  the  way  in  this  new  industry,  and  its  people  showed  much  energy, 
and  many  of  them  became  wealthy  in  the  prosecution  of  the  seal-fishery. 
In  1807  about  fifty  of  these  small  schooners  were  engaged  in  seal-hunt- 
ing  from  various  ports.  It  proved  so  remunerative  that  its  growth  wa» 
rapid.  In  1805,  81,088  seals  were  taken;  in  1815,  126,315;  in  1820, 
213,679;  in  1830,558,942;  in  1840,  631,38o;  in  1844,  685,530  seals,  the 
largest  number  ever  taken  in  one  year.  In  1857  there  were  nearly  400 
vessels,  of  from  80  to  200  tons,  engaged  in  the  seal-fishery,  their  united 
crews  numbering  13,600  men,  the  total  catch  of  that  year  being  close 
on  half  a  million  seals,  worth  $1,700,000.  The  catch  of  seals  has  not 
increased  since  that  date,  and  occasionally  it  has  fallen  low,  as  in  1882, 
when  only  200,500  seals  were  taken,  and  in  1884,  when  238,587  were 
taken. 

In  1863  the  first  steamer  took  part  in  this  fishery.  Since  then  the 
number  of  steamers  has  i*apidly  increased,  and  the  number  of  sailing 
vessels  has  steadily  diminished.  The  same  work  is  now  done  by  fewer 
hands,  so  that  fewer  men  find  employment  in  this  industry.  It  is  not  un- 
likely that  in  a  few  more  years  this  fishery  will  be  entirely  canied  on  by 
poweiful  steamers.  In  competition  with  steamers,  sailing-vessels  have 
but  a  poor  chance  of  success.  About  8,000  to  9,000  men  are  now 
engaged  in  it.  Sailing-vessels  are  permitted  to  leave  port  for  the  ice- 
fields on  the  1st  of  March ;  steamers  cannot  leave  till  the  10th  of  March. 
In  1881  there  were  24  steamers  employed,  but  their  number  has  since 
been  reduced.  Seven  of  those  sealing-steamers  come  from  Dundee, 
Scotland,  each  spring,  and  take  their  crew  in  Newfoundland,  When 
the  seal-fisheiy  terminates,  these  steamei's  proceed  to  the  Arctic  whale- 
fishery,  returning  to  Dundee  in  October. 


'!*''-I 


162 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


The  Islands  of  St.  Pierre  and  Miquelon.  —  These  little 
islandsj,  at  tlie  mouth  of  Fortune  Bay,  as  we  have  learned  in  the  coui-se  of 
this  history,  were  cet'ed  by  Great  liritain  to  France  as  a  shelter  for  her 
fishermen.  They  are  thus  the  only  existing  relics  of  the  once  great 
French  empire  in  America,  which  stretched  from  Hudson's  Bay  to  the 
mouths  uf  tiie  Mississippi,  comprising  the  present  British  possessions  in 
North  America  and  the  great  valley  of  the  Mississippi, —  or  about  one- 
half  of  the  North  American  continent.  The  fleur-de-lis  had  to  withdraw 
from  these  regions  one  after  the  other,  and  now  it  only  waves  over  these 
insignificant  rocky  islets.  The  British  Lion  has  taken  all,  and  left  to 
France  only  the  privilege  of  fishing  on  a  portion  of  the  coast  of  New- 
foundland, with  St.  Pierre  and  Miquelon  for  a  shelter. 

To  France  those  islands  are  of  great  value.  Under  the  shadow  of  the 
tri-colour  lives  here  a  little  world  of  fishermen,  who,  amid  the  perils  of  a 
stormy  sea,  ply  their  avocation.  From  the  encompassing  waters  France 
derives  an  important  part  of  her  food  supply.  To  their  ports  Spain  sends 
yearly  enormous  quantities  of  salt,  for  preserving  the  precious  gifts  of 
the  sea,  which  are  'found  here  in  inexhaustible  abundance.  Thousands 
of  French  fishermen  repair  to  these  bleak  islets,  not  only  to  gather  the 
sea-harvest,  but  to  train  themselves,  by  battling  with  the  billows,  for 
service  in  the  navy  of  their  country. 

The  group  of  islets  consists  of  St.  Pierre,  Grande-Mi quelon,  and 
Petite-Miquelon  or  Langlade.  The  resident  population  now  amounts 
to  5,000.  Since  1783  the  Grande  and  Petite-Miquelon  have  been  united 
by  a  sand-bank.  They  are  distant  135  miles  from  Cape  Ray  and  Cape 
Race,  the  south-western  and  south-eastern  extremities  of  Newfoundland. 
Great  Miquelon  is  not  more  than  three-fourths  of  a  league  in  length. 
St.  PleiTC  is  much  smaller,  but  contains  the  capital  of  the  same  name, 
and  is  three  times  more  populous  than  the  former.  The  Governor  of  the 
whole  group  resides  at  St.  Pierre.  The  town  is  surrounded  by  low  hills. 
In  the  fishing  season  it  presents  quite  an  animated  appearance,  being 
crowded  with  the  floating  population  from  France,  which  greatly  exceeds 
the  resident  inhabitants.  Vegetation  on  the  islands  is  of  the  poorest 
description,  only  a  few  garden  vegetables  being  grown.  The  climate 
resembles  that  of  the  ports  on  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence.  Dense  fogs 
prevail  in  summer,  and  often  hang  over  them  for  days  in  succession.  St. 
PieiTC  is  the  only  good  harbour.  Fifty  or  sixty  fishing  vessels  are  often 
seen  lying  securely  in  its  waters.  The  other  harbours  are  unsafe  when 
cei-tain  winds  blow. 

More  than  three-fourths  of  all  the  codfish  consumed  in  France  come 
fh>m  St.  Pierre  and  Miquelon.  Official  returns  show  that  during  the  five 
years,  ending  in  1871,  the  catch  of  cod  here  averaged  15,425,086  kilo- 
grams. The  same  returns  show  that,  for  the  five  years  ending  in  1874, 
the  avei-age  number  of  vessels  employed  was  76 ;  of  boats,  690 ;  the  total 
tonnage  of  which  was  12,386 ;  and  the  number  of  men  employed,  5,335. 


CHR0N0L007. 


163 


In  1808  a  French  Cable  Company  was  forn.cd  to  lay  a  sub- 
marine cable  between  Breat  and  St.  Pierre,  and  I'roin  the  latter  island  to 
Duxbury,  Massachusetts.  This  cable  was  successfully  laid  in  1869,  three 
years  after  the  successful  establishment  of  telej;raphic  coram.uiiication 
between  Heart's  Content,  Newfoundland,  and  the  British  Isles,  in  18()(S. 
Previously,  in  1858,  a  cable  had  been  laid  over  the  same  route,  between 
Ireland  and  Newfoundland,  but  worked  only  for  a  short  time. 


CHRONOLOGICAL  SUMMARY.  —  CHAPTER  XIV. 


A.D. 

1863. 
1864. 


1865. 
1866. 

1867. 

1869. 

1871. 

1872. 
1873. 
1874. 
1876. 
1876. 
1877. 
1878. 


1881. 

1883. 
1884. 


Prince  of  Wales  married.  ■     * 

Canadian  Confederation  carried  in  Quebec  Conference. 

First  copper-mine  opened  in  Newfoundland. 

Geological  survey  commenced  in  Newfoundland. 

President  Lincoln  assusvsinated. 

Dominion  of  Canada  proclaimed. — Intercolonial  Railway 

authorized. 
Second  Reform  Act  in  England.  —  Household  suffrage  in 

boroughs. 
Irish  Church  disestablished. 

Newfoundland  rejected  confederation  with  Canada. 
Treaty  of  Washington. 
British  Columbia  entered  the  Dominion. 
Vote  by  ballot  in  England. 
Prince  Edward  Island  entered  the  Dominion. 
Ashantee  War. 

First  government  railway  surrey  in  Newfoundland. 
Fishery  Commission  met  in  Halifax. 
Russo-Turkish  War. 
Treaty  of  Berlin. 
Second  Afghan  War. 
Zulu  War. 

Second  Irish  Land  Act. 

First  sod  of  Newfoundland  Railway  turned  Aug.  9th. 
Dry-dock,  St.  John's,  N.F.,  commenced. 
Third  Reform  Act  in  England.  —  Household   suffrage  in 
,    counties.     Redistribution  of  seats. 
Railway  to  Harbour  Grace  opened. 
Dry-dock,  St.  John's,  opened. 


-fr*>**v^-*-»«»i<- 


^Z^^S^Z^iSiF' ^ 


164 


CONCLUSION. 


CHAPTER  XV. 


CONCLUSION. 


m 


III 


'I 


M 


'11 

H 

i 


RETROSPEOT   AND    PROSPECT. — PROGRRGS  OF   THE   COLONY. 

—  IMPROVEMENTS    IN    ST.    JOHN's. GENERAL     PROS- 

PFRITY  OF  THE    PEOPLE.  —  A  GREAT   FUTURE    IN  STORE 
FOR   NEWFOUND^AND. 

1,  We  have  now  bought  the  history  of  the  oldest 
British  colony  down  to  the  latest  date.  We  have  seen 
the  vicissitudes  and  trials  through  which  it  has  passed ; 
the  misgovernment  which  so  long  retarded  its  prosperity  ; 
the  adversities  from  which  it  ever  rose  triumphant.  In 
battling  with  their  difficulties  we  have  seen  how  its 
people  gained  in  energy,  courage,  and  intelligence,  and 
won  their  freedom  by  their  activity  and  patient  endur- 
ance. A  brighter  and  happier  future  now  opens  before 
them  and  tLoir  children.  Their  country  is  advancing  in 
importance  and  strength,  —  in  all  that  constitutes  the 
essentials  of  well-])eing  for  a  free  people.  They  now 
regard  it  as  a  home  for  themselves  and  their  posterity, 
which,  by  industry  and  wise  guidance,  may  be  beautified 
<:.nd  developed  into  greatness,  and  made  a  country  which 
will  occupy  a  proud  position  among  surrounding  com- 
munities. 

2.  Thac  Newfoundland  has  recently  made  great  and 
substantial  progress,  especially  during  the  last  twelve 
years,  cannot  be  denied  by  any  one  acquainted  with  its 
condition.  A  glance  at  its  capital  furnishes  abundant 
proof  of  this.  The  town  of  Si.  John's,  which,  at  the  be- 
ginning of  this  century,  was  a  small  collection  of  mean, 
wooden  nouses,  huddled  into  a  narrow  space  around  the 


GONGLVSION. 


165 


harbour,  without  auy  sanitary  arrangements,  and  con- 
tinually subject  to  devastations  by  fire,  has  grown  into  a 
well-built,  prosperous  city,  of  more  than  30,000  inhabi- 


CHUUCU  or  ENGLAND  CATHEDRAL,  ST.  JOHN'S. 


»'( 


tants.  It  possesses  two  stately  cathedrals,  handsome 
churches,  creditable  public  halls,  an  atJieiinpuni  building, 
banks,  stores  of  all  kir  1.-,,  mercantile  premises,  and 
sho;)S  of  imposing  dimensions,   comiuodious  and  woll- 


.J^^-y 


''*S 


'■ffc 


■'T7~ 


166 


CONCLUSION. 


;iHB{l 

li;  I^H 

il 

1  ;i  :Hl 

i'^ '  rVHB 

|:i^B 

^IhH 

H  ^IH 

i  ^^^1 

: 

It  i^^^^^^P 

i^^IBi 

>(■'  ,   i^l^HI 

1l'' '  ^^Hi 

■(  r 


built  houses,  extensive  wliarves.  Every  year  witnesses 
the  erection  of  new  and  better  houses  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  the  increasing  population.  Its  factories  of 
various  kinds,  its  iron  foundries  and  machine-shops, 
give  employment  to  large  numbers,  and  testify  to  the 
healthy  growth  of  native  industries.  Its  supply  of  ex- 
cellent water  is  abundant.  Its  harbour  cun  boast  of 
what  is  believed  to  be  the  largest  dry  dock  in  the  world. 
A  railwa}'  has  been  commenced,  which,  in  the  course  of 
years,  will  connect  it  with  all  the  centres  of  population 
throughout  the  island.  A  busy,  thriving  population 
throng  its  streets.  Its  trade  is  very  large.  Lectures, 
concerts,  and  social  entertainments  of  all  kinds  show 
that  its  people  are  advancing  in  culture  and  education. 
Its  charitable  and  benevolent  institutions  and  societies 
furnish  ample  proof  that  the  poor  are  cared  for.  Nu- 
merous schools  and  academies  show  that  the  interests 
of  education  are  not  overlooked.  Many  improvements 
have  yet  to  be  introduced ;  many  reforms  are  needed ; 
but  that  genuine  and  striking  progress  has  been  made 
every  one  must  allow.  This  is  a  guarantee  of  greater 
progress  in  the  future. 

3.  Other  towns  throughout  the  island  are  sharing, 
more  or  less,  in  tiie  spirit  of  progress  ;  and,  as  they  are 
more  brought  into  connection  with  the  capital,  civilizing 
influences  will  be  more  felt.  Harbour  Grace  is  a  hand- 
some town  of  nearly  8,000  inhabitants ;  the  streets  are 
vade  and  well  laid  out.  It  is  lighted  with  gas,  and  has 
an  excellent  system  of  water-works.  Carbonear  has 
also  obtained  an  abundant  supply  of  good  water ;  and 
will  soon  be  reached  by  the  railway.  In  Placentia, 
Trinity,  Bonavista,  Catalina,  Twillingate,  improvements 
are  steadily  making  way.  ' 

4,  Turning  to  the  general  conditi(m  of  t'u^  colony  we 
":\'r.  '('..'■_'  ' .      '  .    ,     -  ■,-■■, 

,Jf.*  t — . 


CONCLUSION. 


1(57 


see  on  all  hands  evidences  of  progress.  The  revenue 
has  more  than  doubled  within  the  last  twenty  years,  and 
now  reaches  nearly  a  million  and  a  quarter  dollars  annu- 
ally. As  it  is  derived  mainly  from  duties  on  importa- 
tions, the  increase  of  revenue  shows  an  improvement  in 
the  condition  of  the  people  and  in  their  means  of  pur- 


HOMAN   CATHOLIC  CATUKDKAL,   ST.  J0HM'». 


chasing  the  necessaries  and  luxuries  of  life.  Taxation 
is  less  than  in  any  other  British  colony.  In  1883  the  total 
value  of  imports  was  $9,131,464;  of  exports,  $7,996,- 
795.  In  1870  the  value  of  exports  was  $6,984,543  ;  of 
imports,  $6,655,849.  The  increase  in  thirteen  years  m 
significant.  In  1884  the  value  of  the  exports  was 
$9,061,186.  On  December  31,  1883,  the  registered  ton- 
nage of  the  colony  was  1,988  vessels,  of  which  27  were 


168 


CONCLUSION. 


steamers,  having  a  tonnage  of  91,767  tons.  In  the 
same  year  55  new  vessels  were  built  in  the  country, 
their  tonnage  being  2,330  tons.  At  the  beginning  of 
this  century  the  whole  population  was  20,000 ;  now  it 
has  reached  197,589. 

5.  That  the  cod-fishery,  the  staple  industry  of  the 
country,  is  not  declining  is  evident  from  the  fact  that, 
in  1883-84  no  less  than  1,733,417  quintals  of  dried  cod- 
fish were  exported,  so  that  the  catch  in  1883  was  the 
largest  on  record.  In  that  year  the  volume  of  trade  (im- 
ports and  exports  combined)  was  in  value  $17,128,259, 
—  an  amount  not  reached  in  any  previous  year.  Road- 
making  has  been  carried  on  since  1825,  and  now  over 
$100,000  annually  are  spent  in  making  and  repairing 
roads  and  bridges.  There  are  at  .present  about  727 
miles  of  postal  roads,  and  1,730  miles  of  district  roads, 
while  many  more  miles  are  in  course  of  construction. 
The  fine  steamers  of  the  4^11an  Line  make  weekly  calls 
at  St.  John's.,  and  afford  speedy  means  of  communica- 
tion with  Britain  and  America.  Local  steamers  connect 
the  principal  outports  with  the  capital.  All  these  indi- 
cate an  increase  in  wealth  and  in  the  appliances  of 
civilized  life. 

6.  As  yet  only  the  fringe  around  the  coast  of  the 
island  is  occupied.  The  fertile  hinds,  the  great  forests 
of  the  interior,  are  still  untouched.  The  mineral  treas- 
ures are  barely  opened ;  the  coal-beds  are  yet  undis- 
turbed. When  these  are  turned  to  account  the  population 
of  the  island  will  be  reckoned  by  millions.  Sooner  or 
later  this  great  island  is  destined  to  be  overspread  by 
a  thriving,  industrious  population  who  will  utilize  its 
splendid  resources. 

7.  Thus  fucts  warrant  us  in  predicting  a  great  future 
for  Newfoundland.     In  its  treasures  of  sea  and  land,  of 


CONCLUSION. 


109 


forest  and  mine,  Nature  lias  bestowed  on  its  people  a 
noble  heritage.     The  riches  of  its  encompassing  seas  are 


-  f  r-« 


^r^^-^ 


COCHBANE-STREET  METU0UI9T  CHUKCH,   BT.  JOHN'B. 


inexhaustible,  —  '*  greater  than  the  gold  and  silver  mines 
of  Mexico  and  Peru."  Three  centuries  have  failed  to 
show  any  diminution  in  their  value,  though  ever-increas- 
ing drafts  have  been  made  on  those  treasures  of  the 


170 


COl^CLUSION. 


deep.  The  Great  Banks,  600  miles  in  length,  with  their 
swarming  fish-life,  are  but  a  day's  sail  from  the  shores 
of  the  island.  In  its  dependency  of  Labrador  the 
colony  has  another  fishing-ground  of  incalculable  value. 
In  the  summer  of  1883  there  were  taken  on  Labrador 
650,000  quintals  of  codfish,  and  the  total  value  of  its 
produce  that  year  was  $2,592,000.  The  seal-fishery, 
prosecuted  at  a  time  when  no  other  marine  industries  are 
practicable,  yields  an  average  of  a  million  and  a  quarter  of 
dollars  annually.  The  geographical  position  of  the  island 
for  commercial  purposes  could  not  be  surpassed ;  it  is 
but  1,640  miles  from  the  coast  of  Ireland  ;  it  commands 
the  entrance  to  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence ;  its  noble 
bays  stretch  their  arms  inland  from  50  to  100  miles  ;  its 
harbours  are  among  the  finest  in  the  world.  Before 
many  years  have  passed,  a  steam-ferry  will  connect  it 
with  the  eastern  terminus  of  tlie  Canadian  system  of 
railways.  Among  the  wonders  in  store  for  the  future 
it  is  not  impossible  that  the  shortest  and  safest  travel- 
route  between  the  Old  and  New  World  should  yet  be 
found  across  the  Island  of  Newfoundland. 

8,  The  present  population  of  Newfoundland  has 
sprung  from  two  of  the  greatest  and  most  energetic  races 
of  the  world,  —  the  Saxon  and  Celtic.  In  the  healthy, 
invigorating   climate  of    the   island   the  blood  has  not 

CD  O 

deteriorated.  Its  climate  is  admirabl}^  fitted  to  nurture 
a  people  of  great  physical  power  and  mental  energy, 
who  will  be  able  to  hold  a  distinguished  place  among  the 
English-speaking  communities  of  the  New  World. 
To  this  end  they  should  take  care  that  their  educational 
system  shall  keep  pace  with  their  material  prosperity ; 
that  no  child  shall  be  allowed  to  grow  up  in  ignorance  ; 
and  that  due  provision  be  made  for  the  higher  education 
which  is  needed  to  promote  the  intellectual  hfe  of  the 


:. 


/ 


conclusion: 


171 


people.  Many  of  the  troubles  of  the  past  have  arisen 
from  differences  in  race  and  religion  among  the  people. 
Thence  have  come,  at  times,  jealousies,  antipathies,  and 


^ 


fe 


ST.  ANDREW'S  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH,  ST.  JOHN'S. 

injurious  contentions.  In  the  better  spirit  which  now 
prevails  these  will  gradually  disappear.  The  distinc- 
tions of  English,  Scotch,  and  Irish,  Protestants  and 
Catholics,  will  merge  into  the  common  name  of  New- 


<  ( 


172 


CONCLUSION. 


foiindlauders,  which  till  will  be  proud  to  bear ;  and  the 
love  of  a  common  country  will  obliterate  Ihe  differences 


ROMAN  CATHOLIC  CATHEDRAL,  HARBOUR  QRACE. 


4\i%:i^i 


and  rivalries  of  the  past.  Then  the  great  rivalry  will  be 
as  to  who  can  turn  to  the  best  advantage  the  gifts  of 
Providence,  and  most  effectually  advance  the  best  inter- 
ests of  a  free,  united,  and  happy  people.  ;y>-"    T 


'J ' 


QUESTIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION. 


173 


be 
of 


QUESTIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION  ON  CHAPTER  XV. 

1.  What  of  the  better  future  now  opening  for  Newfoundland? 

2.  Give  proofs  of  recent  progress  in  the  capital.  Enumerate 
the  public  buildings.     What  shows  social  advance? 

3.  What  improvements  have  been  made  in  other  towns? 

4.  What  proofs  of  progress  does  the  condition  of  the  colony 
show?  Give  the  value  of  imports  and  exports  in  1870  and  in 
1883,  What  was  the  value  of  exports  in  1884?  Give  particulars 
of  the  shipping.  * 

5.  How  many  quintals  of  codfish  were  exported  in  1883-84? 
What  of  roads? 

6.  What  are  the  prospects  of  settling  the  interior? 

7.  Why  may  we  believe  in  a  great  future  for  Newfoundland? 
Show  the  value  of  the  Labrador  fisheries,  and  of  the  seal- 
fishery.  Show  the  advantages  of  the  geographical  position  of  the 
island.  Why  is  it  likely  to  be  the  shortest  travel-route  between 
Europe  and  America?  What  of  the  people  and  their  future? 
What  has  been  the  cause  of  social  disturbances  in  the  past? 
How  are  these  to  be  avoided  in  the  future? 


174 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS. 


NOTES  AND  EXPLANATIONS.  — CHAPTER  XV. 

The  People  of  Newfoundland  — Their  Physique. —  New- 
foundlanders are,  in  their  general  physique,  a  powerfully  built,  robust, 
and  hardy  race.  They  and  their  fathers  have  buffeted  the  billoAvs, 
fought  the  terrible  ice-floes,  and  drunk  in  the  health-giving  sea-breezes 
Engaged  largely  in  open-air  occupations,  and  breathing  an  invigorating 
atmosphere,  a  strong,  energetic  race  has  grown  up,  who  arc  well-fitted 
for  the  world's  i*ough  work.  From  the  hardy,  much-enduring  race  who 
have  been  developed  here,  often  fighting  cold  and  hunger,  drawing  their 
scanty  subsistence  mainly  from  the  boisterous  seas,  fearlessly  pursuing 
their  avocations  amid  storms  and  ice-fields,  will  spring  a  people  who, 
when  duly  educated  and  cultured,  may  be  expected  to  play  a  worthy 
part  in  the  world  of  the  future.  The  noblest  nations  of  the  earth,  past 
and  present,  were  not  nurtured  amid  the  flowers  of  the  south,  but  in  the 
cold  and  stern  north,  where  nature  had  to  be  conquered  by  labour  and 
sweat  of  brow,  and  where  the  barren  wilderness  had  to  be  transformed 
by  hard  toil  into  the  waving  cornfield.  Kingslcy,  in  his  "  Ode  to  the 
North*East  Wind,"  says  :  — 


Let  tbe  luBcious  soutb-wiDd 

Breathe  In  lovers'  sighs,  5^, 

While  the  lazy  gallants 

Bask  in  ladles' eyes. 
What  does  he  but  soften 

Heart  alike  and  pen? 
'  Tia  the  hard,  gray  weather 

Breeds  hard  Englishmen. 

What's  the  soft  south-wester? 

'Tie  the  ladies'  breeze, 
Bringing  horae  their  true  loves 

Out  of  all  the  seas ; 
But  ibc  black  north-easter, 

Through  tbe  snow-storm  hurled, 
Drives  our  English  hearts  of  oak 

Seaward  round  the  world ! 

Come  as  came  our  fathers, 

Heralded  by  thee, 
Conquering  from  tbe  eastward, 

Lords  by  land  and  sea. 
Come,  and  strong  within  us 

Stir  tbe  Vikings'  blood, 
Bracing  brain  and  sinew,— 

Blow,  thou  wind  of  God ! 


:i^-K'-s*t 


"/   It 


NOTES  AND   EXPLANATIONS. 


175 


Names  of  Places*  —  The  changes  in  names  of  places  arc  curious, 
and  soractiiues  ditlicult  to  trace.  Carbonear  was  formerly  written 
Carboucir,  and  was  originally  Carboniero  (Spanish  or  Portuguese 
evidently).  Torhay,  in  old  books,  is  Thorne-Bay.  Bay  of  Bulls  is  said 
originally  to  have  been  Baboul  Bay;  others  make  it  a  corruption  of  the 
French  Bale  de* Boulea.  Trcpasscy  Bay,  Anspach  says,  was  formerly 
Abram  Trepasa^.  Fcrrausc  was  anciently  Fermose  or  Ferraosa,  —  beauti- 
ful. Renewcs,  formerly  Renowcs.  or  Rcneau's  Harbour.  La  Poile,  so 
named  by  the  French  from  its  supposed  resemblance  to  a  frying-pan. 
Great  Burgeo  Island  is  also  called  Eclipse  Island,  from  the  fact  that 
Captain  Cook  observed  an  eclipse  of  the  sun  there  in  1765.  Point 
EnragLC,  so  named  from  its  exposed  situation.  Cape  Spear,  near  St. 
John's,  was  originally  Cape  Esperc  or  Espoir,  or  Cape  Hope.  Great 
Bruit,  great  noise ;  Rose  Blan(;hc,  white  rose ;  Bay-of-Cinq-Ccrfs,  or 
Five  Stags,  explain  their  own  origin.  The  small  river  which  falls  into 
the  head  of  St.  John's  Harbour  was  once  called  Little  Castor's  River,  a 
name  not  heard  now. 

Richard  Ilakluyt,  whose  narratives  of  early  voyages  and  dis- 
coveries are  so  valuable,  and  so  often  quoted,  was  a  clergyman  of  the 
Church  of  England,  and  at  one  time  prebendary  of  the  cathedral  of 
Bristol.  lie  was  born  in  1553,  and  studied  at  Christ  Church,  Oxford.  He 
made  a  special  study  of  geography,  or  cosmography,  as  it  was  then  called, 
and  was  made  a  lecturer  on  this  subject  at  Oxford.  He  took  an  active 
part  in  encouraging  and  directing  the  spirit  of  discovery  in  those  days. 
He  was  associated  v.ith  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  in  his  effort  at  planting  Vir- 
ginia. In  1589  he  published  his  "  Collection  of  Travels,"  in  one  volume, 
folio,  which  he  afterwards  enlarged  and  published  in  three  volumes,  folio, 
under  the  title,  "  The  Principal  Navigations  and  Discoveries  of  the  Eng- 
lish Nation,  by  sea  or  overland  to  the  remote  and  farthest  distant  quarters 
of  the  earth,  at  any  time  within  the  compass  of  these  1500  years."  Hak- 
luyt  also  published  or  edited  translations  of  several  foreign  nan-atives  of 
travellers,  from  which  was  published  a  "  Selection  of  curious,  I'are,  and 
early  voyages,  and  histories  of  interesting  discoveries,  chiefly  published 
by  Ilakluyt,  or  at  his  suggestion,  but  not  included  in  his  celebrated 
compilation :  4to,  London,  1812."  He  died  in  1616,  and  Avas  burie.l  in 
"Westminster  Abbey.  His  accounts  of  the  early  voyages  to  Newfound- 
land and  the  ac^acent  countries  are  of  great  value. 


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I  I 


APPENDIX. 


APPENDIX  I. 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF    THE  ATLANTIC  CABLES. 


The  story  of  the  laying  of  the  first  Atlantic  cables 
possesses  a  romantic  interest ;  and,  in  connection  with 
it,  Newfoundland  was  destined  to  play  an  important  part. 
On  its  shores  the  little  cord  which  first  bound  together 
the  Old  World  and  the  New  found  a  resting-place,  as  it 
emerged  from  the  depths  of  the  ocean.  From  that 
moment  the  great  crystal  dome  of  the  Atlantic  became 
a  whispering-gallery  between  two  worlds.  On  the  light- 
ning's pinions  thought  flew  between  East  and  West. 
Modern  civilization  obtained  a  new  birth.  Humanity 
throbbed  with  a  new  life  and  a  great  hope.  The  English- 
speaking  communities  on  opposite  sides  of  the  Atlantic, 
the  leaders  in  the  van  of  civilization,  were  united  ;  and 
from  that  instantaneous  inter-communication  of  thought 
what  vast  possibilities  are  opened  up  for  the  improve- 
ment and  happiness  of  the  race  !  Once  more  time  and 
space  were  annihilated.  "  And  I  saw  a  great  angel 
stand  with  one  foot  on  the  sea  and  another  on  the  land  ; 
and  he  swore  by  Him  that  liveth,  that  time  shall  be  no 
more."  The  grand  old  prophecy  has  received  a  partial 
fulfilment. 

Mr.  Cyrus  Field  was  the  life  and  soul  of  the  great 
enterprise ;  and  to  him,  more  than  to  an}-  other  man, 


I  1 
■II  I? 


11 


I 


178 


AITESDIX. 


the  civilized  world  is  indebted  for  its  successful  com- 
pletion. 

Others,  no  doubt,  rendered  important  aid,  and  merit 
all  honour.  But  his  was  the  strong  faith  in  the  possi- 
bility of  the  work  being  done  which  never  wavered  amid 
disappointments  and  discouragements  ;  and  his  the  hope 
that  he  and  his  band  of  comrades  should  do  it,  which 
bore  them  triumphant  over  every  failure.  His  fervid 
faith  and  buoyant  hope  proved  contagious,  and  inspired 
even  the  cool  calculators  on  the  London  and  New  York 
Stock  P^xchange,  so  that  they  were  willing  to  drop  million 
after  million  of  dollai's  into  the  depths  of  the  Atlantic  on 
the  baie  chance  of  success.  His  inspiring  hope  lifted 
speculation  into  a  higher  and  nobler  atmosphere,  and 
moved  even  cautious  statesmen  to  render  aid.  For  thir- 
teen long  years  he  clung  to  his  great  thought,  like  another 
Columbus,  when  others  pronounced  him  a  wild  fanatic ; 
and  on  the  5th  of  August,  1858,  his  wire  touched  the 
New  World,  and  the  first  message  was  transmitted. 

Previous  to  this,  in  1854,  the  Legislature  of  New- 
foundland had  been  the  first  to  encourage  Mr.  Field  and 
his  friends,  by  granting  them  a  most  liberal  charter  in 
connection  with  the  enterprise,  which  secured  to  them 
exclusive  rights.  Without  this  charter  Mr.  Field  him- 
self confessed  that  he  could  not  have  obtained  the  neces- 
sary money  from  capitalists.  The  first  words  in  the 
Act  which  secured  these  privileges  were  as  follows : 
"  Wliereas  it  is  deemed  advisable  to  establish  a  line  of 
telegraphic  communication  between  America  and  Europe 
by  way  of  Newfoundland."  The  charter  granted  to  his 
company  the  exclusive  privilege  of  landing  cables  on  the 
shores  of  Newfoundland  for  fifty  years  ;  but  this  was 
subject  to  the  right  of  preemption  by  the  government 
at  any  lime  after  twenty  years.  ;       ,. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  ATLANTIC   CABLES. 


179 


The  first  step  was  to  establish  commiiiiication  between 
Newfoundland  and  Cape  Breton,  by  a  cable  across  the 
Gnlf  of  St.  Lawrence,  thence  to  Canada  and  the  United 
States.  When  tiiis  was  accomplished,  the  governments 
of  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States  agreed  to  furnish 
ships  to  take  soundings  across  the  Atlantic  and  to  assist 
in  laying  the  cable.  In  the  summer  of  1857  the  first 
attempt  to  lay  the  cable  was  made  ;  but,  after  a  few  hun- 
dred miles  were  laid,  it  was  lost.  In  the  summer  of 
1858  the  attempt  was  renewed.  The  cable  was  success- 
fully landed  on  the  5th  of  August.  It  continued  to 
work  till  the  1st  of  September;  but,  after  four  hundred 
messages  had  passed  over  it,  the  cable  ceased  to  work. 
The  enterprise  at  once  fell  into  discredit,  and  its  pro- 
moters were  reckoned  lunatics.  Ten  thousand  dollars 
of  the  stock  sold  in  New  York  for  a  ten-dollar  green- 
back, and  in  London,  a  thousand  pounds  for  thirt}^  guin- 
eas. Few  expected  that  the  enterprise  would  ever  be 
renewed.  But  Mr.  Field  never  despaired ;  and,  after 
unparalleled  efforts,  he  succeeded  in  raising  capital  to 
make  a  new  and  better  cable,  which  was  loaded  on  board 
the  "Great  Eastern,"  in  1865.  Once  more  disaster 
came.  After  twelve  hundred  miles  of  cable  had  been 
successfully  payed  out,  the  .cable  broke  in  water  two 
miles  in  depth.  With  the  greatest  difficulty  enough 
money  was  obtained  to  make  a  new  cable,  which  was 
successfully  laid,  in  1866,  and  continued  to  work  most 
satisfactorily.  Not  only  so,  but  the  end  of  the  lost  cable 
of  1865  was  found  and  raised  from  a  depth  of  two  miles, 
and  the  laying  triumphantly  completed.  Mr.  Field  was 
the  hero  of  the  hour.  The  world  rejoiced  over  the  com- 
pletion of  the  great  work. 

Additional  cables  followed  soon  after.  In  1871 
another  cable  was  laid  along  the  same  route ;  a  fourth 


li 


'\ 


180 


APPENDIX. 


I 


\m 


'm 


I! 


in  1873,  and  a  fifth  in  1880.  The  first  cable  of  1858, 
having  been  imperfectly  constructed,  has  been  aban- 
doned ;  and  at  present  there  are  five  cables  between 
Newfoundland  and  Ireland. 

In  18G9  the  French  Cable  Company  laid  a  cable  from 
Brest  to  St.  Pierre  ;  thence  to  Duxbury,  Massachusetts. 
The  same  company  laid  a  second  cable  in  1879.  In 
1875  the  Direct  United  States  Cable  Company  laid  a 
cable  from  Ireland  to  Torbay,  in  Nova  Scotia ;  thence 
to  Duxbury.  In  1881  and  1882  two  "American 
cables  "  were  laid,  and  in  1884  the  two  Mackay-Bennett 
cables. 

There  is,  however,  one  name  seldom  mentioned  in 
connection  with  this  great  enterprise  to  which  due 
honour  has  not  been  accorded.  The  man  who  pioneered 
the  way  for  telegraphic  communication  across  the  Atlan- 
tic, and  who  was  the  practical  prime-mover  of  the  un- 
dertaking, was  Mr.  Frederick  N.  Gisborne,  F.R.S.C  , 
Engineer  and  Electrician,  and  at  present  Government 
Superintendent  of  the  Telegraph  and  Signal  S  "vice  of 
the  Dominion  of  Canada.  Mr.  Gisborne  is  an  English- 
man, of  an  old  Derbyshire  family.  In  1848  he  was 
employed  by  the  government  of  Nova  Scotia  in  estab- 
lishing telegraphic  communication  between  Halifax, 
Canada,  New  Brunswick,  and  the  United  States.  The 
late  Hon.  Joseph  Howe,  who  at  the  time  of  his  death 
was  Lieutenant-Governor  of  Nova  Scotia,  has  published 
a  statement,  dated  February  12,  1867,  in  which  he  says, 
that  in  1850  Mr.  Gisborne  laid  before  the  Telegraph 
Commissioners  in  Halifax  a  plan  for  connecting  New- 
foundland with  the  continent  of  America  by  a  sub- 
marine cable,  and  spoke  confidently  of  being  able  to 
extend  it  across  the  Atlantic,  and  connect  Europe  with 
America.    "  Up  to  this  time,"  says  Mr.  Howe,  *'  I  never 


1 


^i 


HISTORY  OF  THE  ATLANTIC  CABLES. 


181 


heard  tlie  idea  suggested  ;  and,  though  reading  the  English 
and  American  papers,  never  saw  an  allusion  to  the 
practicability  of  such  an  enterprise."  Now,  if  Mr.  Gis- 
bonie  had  done  nothing  more  than  strike  out  this  project, 
and  if  it  had  remained  a  mere  thought  in  his  mind,  with- 
out prociucing  fruit,  he  would  be  entitled  to  a  compara- 
tively slight  meed  of  praise.  The  possibility  or  the 
probability  of  establishing  electric  communication  across 
the  Atlantic  might  occur  to  many  minds,  and  vague  sug- 
gestions to  that  effect  might  come  from  many  quarters. 
Professor  Morse,  as  early  as  1843,  from  some  of  his  ex- 
periments, wrote  as  follows  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
United  States :  "The  practical  inference  from  this  law 
is,  that  a  telegraphic  communication,  on  the  electric-mag- 
netic plan,  may  with  certainty  be  established  across  the 
Atlantic  ocean.  Startling  as  this  may  seem  now,  I  am 
confident  the  time  will  come  when  this  project  will  be 
realized."  A  vast  number  of  experiments  and  much 
toil  of  hand  and  brain  were  needed  before  this  prophecy 
could  be  fulfilled,  thougli  the  suggestion  of  such  an 
eminent  electrician  as  Professor  Morse  might  set  otlier 
minds  working  on  the  project.  The  true  maker  and  in- 
ventor is  not  he  who  merely  strikes  out  a  thought,  but 
who  works  out  that  thought  into  a  practical  result  which 
the  senses  can  appreciate,  so  that  the  vague  idea  takes 
form  and  substance  and  becomes  a  reality.  Others  vaa.y 
come  after  him,  and  vastly  extend  and  improve  his  first 
imperfect  attempt,  and  they  deserve  due  recognition  and 
praise ;  but  the  original  inventor  is  he  who  produces 
the  first  tangible  result,     t 

Let  us  test  Mr.  Gisborae  by  this  rule.  He  did  not  rest 
satisfied  with  striking  out  a  plan,  he  proceeded  to  carry  it 
into  practical  effect.  He  succeeded  in  interesting  a  num- 
ber of  capitalists  of  London  and  New  York  in  the  pro- 


182 


APPENDIX. 


ject,  and  formed  ''The  New  York  and  Newfoundland 
Telegraph  Company,"  of  which  he  was  Superintendent 
and  Engineer.  He  came  to  Newfoundland,  and  in  1852 
the  Legislature  passed  an  act  conferring  the  important 
privileges  u[)on  his  company,  in  event  of  the  completion 
of  the  project  in  Newfoundland,  which  the  Atlantic 
Telegraph  Company  afterwards  possessed.  He  went  to 
work  with  energy,  and  commenced  the  construction  of 
a  telegraph  line  400  miles  in  length,  from  St.  John's  to 
Cape  Ray,  over  a  most  difficult  country.  In  surveying 
and  superintending  this  line  he  had  to  encounter  the 
severest  hardships,  and  to  wrestle  with  innumerable 
dilHculties.  At  great  pecuniary  sacrifice  and  risk  of 
health  he  carried  out  the  work.  In  1852  he  laid  down  a 
submarine  cable  between  Prince  Edward  Island  and 
New  Bnniswick,  11  miles  in  length,  across  the  Straits 
of  Northumberland.  This  was  the  first  American  sub- 
marine cable.  Only  one  submarine  cable  was  then  in 
existence,  namely,  the  cable  between  Dover  and  Calais, 
laid  down  by  Brett,  in  1851.  It  remained  to  lay  down 
another  cable  between  Cape  Ray  and  Cape  Breton.  When 
that  was  done  steamers  then  running  between  St.  John's 
and  Galway  would  shorten  the  time  of  receiving  news 
between  London  and  New  York  by  four  or  five  days. 
So  much  would  be  gained  as  a  first  st^p.  Then  would 
come  Mr.  Gisborne's  greater  stride  of  spanning  the 
Atlantic  by  a  cable,  which  he  had  propounded  three  years 
before.  -' ■'  -- "  :•■■^:^■■v^''■••  r-;:...;  r .:.;  ■'  ■^-'y-.-h  ■.^^D7:-..-^m 

'  But  at  this  point,  before  he  succeeded  in  laying  the 
cable  across  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  misfortune  over- 
took the  great  enterprise.  Only  a  small  amount  of 
capital  bad  been  subscribed,  and  in  1853  the  company 
became  involved  in  pecuniary  diflficulties.  Mr.  Gisborne 
went  to  New  York  to  endeavour  to  raise  additional  capi- 


HISTORT  OF  THE  ATLANTIC  CABLES, 


183 


capi- 


tal. Here  accident  bi ought  him  into  communication  with 
Mr.  Cyrus  W.  Field,  to  whom  he  unfolded  all  his  plans. 
At   that   time    Mr.  Field   knew  nothing  of   telegraphic 
matters,  and  had  just  returned  from  travelling  in  South 
America,  with  the  intention  of  enjoying  the  fortune  his 
industry'  and  sngacity  had  secured  ere  he  had  arrived  at 
the  middle  term  of  life.     As  he   listened  to  Mr.  Gis- 
borne    his   keen,    sagacious   mind    took   in   the   whole 
grand  enterprise,  which  seems  at  once  to  have  fired  his 
whole  being.     He  had  hardly  slept  till  he  was  in  com- 
munication with  Professor  Morse  and  Lieut.  Maurv,  as 
to  the  possibility  of  laying  down  a  wire  and  sending  an 
electric  current  across  the  bed  of  the  Atlantic.     Their 
replies  gave  him  increased  confidence.     He  got  several 
great    capitalists    to    join    him,    such     as    Mr.    Peter 
Cooper,   Mr.   Moses  Taylor,  Mr.  Marshall  O.   Roberts, 
and  Mr.  Chandler  White.     They  purchased  from   Mr. 
Gisborne  the  privileges  of  his  company  for  £8,000.     Mr. 
Field  and  others  started  for  Newfoundland  in  the  middle 
of  March,  1854,  and  in  April  the  Legislature  passed  the 
act  already  referred   to,  which   gave  his  company  the 
exclusive   right    of    lauding    cables   on   the   shores  of 
the  island  for  fifty  years,  subject  to  preemption  after 
twenty    years.     Tlien   Mr.    Field's    great   career   com- 
menced as  the  leader  of  the  enterprise.     Mr.  Gisborne 
was  appointed  chief  engineer  of  the  new  company,'  ***-' 
We  would  not  for  a  moment  detract  from  the  great 
services  which  Mr.  Field  thus  rendered  to  the  cause  of 
civilization.     His  heroic  perseverance  in  the  face  of  dif- 
ficulties that  would  have  overwhelmed  ordinary  men ; 
his  unflinching  confidence  in  the  ultimate  triumph  of  his 
enterprise ;    his   self-sacrificing  labours   in    connection 
with  it ;  his  penetrating,  far-reaching  insight   into   its 
importance  to  the  world,  —  all  these  merit  the  highest 


i 


184 


APPENDIX. 


^  i  ■ 
'  ■  t 

iiii 


admiration  and  praise.  Mr.  Field  will  be  remembered 
as  long  as  telegraphs  unite  the  Old  World  and  the  New. 

But  while  we  give  him  his  full  meed  of  applause,  let 
us  not  forget  the  far-seeing  engineer,  who  not  only 
struck  out  the  idea  at  first,  but  took  the  first  steps 
towards  its  practical  realization,  pioneered  the  way,  and 
showed  how  it  was  to  be  done.  Had  it  not  been  for 
the  work  he  accomplished,  and  the  length  he  attained 
towards  success,  Mr.  Field  and  the  great  capitalists 
would  hardly  have  been  induced  to  venture  their  money  in 
such  an  enterprise.  With  the  name  of  Mr.  Cyrus  W.  Field 
should  be  associated  that  of  Mr.  Frederick  Newton  Gis- 
borne,  the  originator  of  the  great  enterprise.  u     . 

Should  any  doubts  be  raised  as  to  whether  Mr.  Gis- 
borne  entertained  the  larger  project  of  spanning  the 
Atlantic  with  a  cable,  the  following  extracts,  which  have 
been  published  from  Mr.  John  Brett's  letters  to  Mr.  Gis- 
borne,  will  settle  the  question  in  all  candid  minds.  In 
1853  Mr.  Gisborne  was  in  correspondence  with  Mr. 
Brett,  the  founder  of  submarine  telegraph}' in  England, 
with  the  view  of  enlisting  his  cooperation  in  his  project. 
Mr.  Brett  entertained  his  pioposals  most  favourably  ; 
and,  under  date  "  London,  July  8th,  1853,"  having  pre- 
viously received  Mr.  Gisborne's  plans,  he  wrote  as 
follows  :  "  On  my  return  from  Paris  I  found  your  satis- 
factory letter  of  4th  June.  Let  me  recommend  you  to 
secure  in  our  joint  names  an  exclusive  privilege  for 
establishing  a  submarine  telegraph  between  Newfound- 
land and  Ireland  for  fifty  years." 

It  was  when  courageously  preparing  the  way  for  this 
enterprise  that  Mr.  Gisborne's  company  broke  down, 
through  failure  of  funds,  and  that,  as  we  have  seen,  he 
transferred  its  interests  to  Mr.  Cyrus  W.  Field. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  ATLANTIC  CABLES. 


185 


as 
tis- 

to 

for 

ind- 


In  support  of  Mr.  Gisborne's  claims,  I  am  permitted 
to  cite  the  following  letter  from  D.  J.  Henderson,  Esq., 
of  St.  Johns,  who  was  associated  with  Mr.  Gisborne  in 
the  original  enterprise  :  — 

St.  Johns,  N.F.,  May  9,  1885. 
Rev.  M.  Harvey  :  — 

Rev.  AND  DEAR  Sir, — In  compliance  with  your  request  to 
state  what  I  know  regarding  Mr.  F.  N.  Gisborne's  claim  to  be  the 
originator  of  the  plan  to  connect  Newfoundland  witli  Ireland  by  a 
submarine  cable,  I  beg  to  say  that  I  was  present  at  the  first 
meeting  held  in  Mr.  Field's  house,  New  York,  at  which  Mr. 
Gisborne  first  unfolded  his  plans  to  Mr.  Field  and  his  friends. 

This  meeting  took  place  about  February  loth,  1854.  I  heard 
Mr.  Gisborne,  on  this  occasion,  first  explain  his  plan  of  connect- 
ing Newfoundland  with  the  Americjin  continent ;  and  he  then  un- 
folded a  map  on  which  he  hjid  traced  the  course  of  a  submarine 
cable  from  Newfoundland  to  the  coast  of  Ireland.  Mr.  Field  at 
once  remarked,  in  reference  to  the  latter  part  of  his  project,  "  Ah, 
this  puts  a  different  complexion  on  tlie  whole  thing !  " 

It  was  this  idea  of  uniting  the  two  continents,  by  a  cable  across 
the  bed  of  the  Atlantic,  which  appeared  forcibly  to  arrest  the  at- 
tention of  Mr.  Field,  and  to  give  the  project  its  supreme  value  in 
his  eyes.  Mr.  Gisborne  distinctly  outlined  this  plan,  in  my  pres- 
ence, to  Mr.  Field  and  his  friends  who  were  present,  namely, 
Messrs.  M.  Taylor.  M.  0.  Roberts,  and  C.  White. 

.  ,      ,;  Yours  very  truly, 

.  _    ,  ;     .         D.J.Henderson. 

The  following  facts  regarding  the  lengths  of  the  prin- 
cipal submarine  cables  of  the  world  are  of  interest. 
They  are  derived  from  the  Dominion  map  projected  by 
Mr.  F.  N.  Gisborne,  and  published  in  1883 :  — 


ii;i 


Length  ia  Knots. 

First  Atlantic  cable,  1858 2,200 

5  cables  from  Ireland  to  Newfoundland,  average       .         .      1,870 
From  Newfoundland  to  Sydney,  C.B.,  via  Flacentia  Bay,         280 


186 


APPENDIX. 


4  , 


From 
From 
From 
From 
From 
Total 
Total 
Hong 
Total 


Newfoundland  to  Sydney,  via  St.  Pierre          .         .  300 

France  to  St.  Pierre         .         .        .        .         .         .  2,584 

St.  Pierre  to  Massachusetts 749 

England  to  Nova  Scotia  direct          ....  2,540 

Nova  Scotia  to  Massachusetts  .....  .')00 

cable  distances  from  England  to  Australia,  via  India,  10,334 

cable  distances  from  England  to  China,  via  India    .  U,87D 

•Kong  to  Japan,  vm  Siianghai   .         .         .         .         .  1,G(>8 

length  of  submarine  cables  laid  up  to  1883        .         .  60,000 


k. ' .  -  '  • 


;   -    *       .  '•,  i  ■  Y     ^  '  ,*i  ■ 


'     •■  \  PRO.TECTEI)     I.IN'KS. 

' . ! ,      ,             ,  ,     _  Kuota. 

Total  cable  distance  from  England  to  China,  via  Canada,  7,920, 

Hong-Kong,  China,  to  New  Guinea    .         .         .  ...  2,000 

'HI 

New  Guinea  to  Port  Darwin,  in  Australia  .         .         .         800 

Total  cable  distance  from  England  to  Australia,  via  Canada,    10,780 

...  .....   ,  .   -.-..s 


J  :^  APPENDIX  II. 

VALUE   OF  THE   FISHERIES,    . 


•■■  .''-.-'V      .      .;.      'K         ^^ 


The  principal  commercial  fishes  taken  from  the  waters 
around  Newfoundland  and  Labrador  are  the  cod,  the 
seal,  the  herring,  the  salmon,  and  the  lobster.  The  cod- 
fishery  is  by  far  the  most  important,  its  products  aver- 
aging in  value  three-fourths  of  the  entire  returns  of  the 
fisheries.  If  we  take  three  years,  ending  in  1882, 
the  total  value  of  the  codfish  taken  in  that  time  was 
$18,102,728,  so  that  the  average  annual  value  of  the 
cod-fishery  at  present  is  $6,034,242.  This  calculation 
includes  the  dried  codfish  exported,  the  quantit}'  con- 
sumed by  the  population,  and  the  oil  extracted  from  the 
fish. 


VALfTK  OF  THE  FISfT FRIES. 


187 


FRENCH    COD-FIsnERIP:S. 

The  value  of  the  codfish  taken  by  the  French  on  that 
portion  of  the  coast  of  Newfoundhiiul  over  which  their 
fishing  privileges  extend  is  at  present  $279,436  per 
annum.  In  addition  the  French  carry  on  the  Bank 
fishery.  In  1879  they  had  employed  in  the  Bank  and 
shore  fishery  7,1G8  men,  177  vessels,  of  27,8G5  tons, 
and  the  quantity  of  codfish  taken  was  369,628  quintals, 
the  value  of  which  was  $1,342,544. 


SEAL-FISHERY. 


The  average  number  of  seals  taken  in  three  years, 
ending  1881,  was  435,413;  their  annual  average  value 
was  $1,026,896. 


HERRING-FISHERY. 


The  chief  centres  of  the  herring-fishery  are  Labrador, 
St.  George's  Bay,  Bay  of  Islands,  Fortune  Bay.  The 
average  annual  value  of  the  herrings  exported  and  con- 
sumed in  the  countiy  is  $581,543. 


;,^fi 


SALMON-FISHERY.  U  ' 

The  average  annual  value  of  the  salmon  exported  is 
$114,505.  .    .  ■  >  r 

LOBSTER-FISHERY.  '  '         ?^ ' 

The  annual  average  value  of  lobsters  exported  is  at 
present  $104,184. 

The  foregoing  figures  show  that  the  total  average 
value  of  all  the  fisheries  is  close  on  eight  millions  of 
dollars  per  annum. 


M 


-  1} 

"1,1 


i 


■V. 


if 

■'i 

i  ■ 


188 


APPENDIX, 


NUMBER    OF    FISHERMEN. 

According  to  the  census  of  1873  there  were  45,845 
persons  employed  in  fishing  and  curing  fish.  At  present 
that  number  has  increased  to  about  54,000. 

In  1874  the  number  of  able-bodied  fishermen  in  the 
colony  was  26,377  ;  at  present  they  number  about  33,000. 


li  I. 


APPENDIX  III. 

AORICULTURAL   RESOURCES.       , 

The  best  answer  to  tiie  assertion,  so  often  repeated, 
that  the  soil  of  Newfoundland  is  unfit  for  cultivation,  is 
that,  even  on  th  limited  and  imperfect  system  now 
pursued,  the  average  annual  value  of  agricultural  prod- 
ucts is  $612,350  ;  and  the  value  of  the  land  now  under 
cultivation,  together  with  the  cattle,  sheep,  and  horses, 
is  $2,500,000. 

The  geological  survey  has  shown  that  in  the  regions 
near  and  surrounding  St.  George's  Bay,  including  the 
Codroy  valleys,  there  are  730  square  miles  suitable  for 
settlement.  Bay  of  Islands,  including  tiie  valley  of  the 
Huraber,  Deer  Lake,  and  Grand  Lake,  contains  630  square 
miles  suitable  for  settlement.  These  valleys  are,  for  the 
most  part,  covered  with  Valuable  timber.  In  the  Gander, 
Gambo,  and  Terra-Nova  valleys  there  are  1,700  square 
miles  available  for  settlement.  The  Exploits  vallej'  nnd 
Red  Indian  Lake,  with  tiie  lands  surrounding  the  estuary 
of  the  Exploits,  contain  1,620  square  miles.  Thus,  in 
these  great  valleys  alone,  we  have  4,650  square  miles, 
or  2,976,000  acres,  fit  for  settlemeut,  and  capable,  when 
cultivated,  of  sustaining  i  i  comfort  a  large  population. 


^■'•■'1- 


A  GRICUL  TURA  L  RESOURCES. 


189 


In  .'iddition  to  these  large  o,nd  extensive  tracts  there  are 
many  smaller  portions  of  excellent  soil  around  the  heads 
of  the  bays,  along  the  margins  of  the  smaller  rivers, 
and  on  several  of  the  islands.  When  we  add  to  these 
the  land  already  under  culture  around  tho  various  settle- 
ments, and  the  wide  area  in  the  peninsula  of  Avalon, 
which  is  admirably  adapted  for  cattle  and  sheep  raising, 
we  have  2,000,000  acres  more  ;  or,  in  all,  5,000,000  acres 
fitted  for  agricultural  and  griizing  purposes.  What  the 
interior  proper  ma}^  contain  is  yet  unknown.  *  ^ «  m- 


.;■:;..     .",.':■,.•:- 'iv-^^*.,■.v.:'       forests.      ■?.:;;..    .:■.-      -,....' .1. -.■,,.■■ 

"  The  chief  varieties  of  forest  timber  are  white-pine, 
white  and  black  spruce,  tamarack  or  larch,  fir,  yellow 
and  white  birch.  In  the  Gander  districts  alone  there 
are,  according  to  the  geological  survey,  850  square 
miles  of  pine  :ands,  or,  including  some  of  the  neighbour- 
ing regions,  a  total  area  of  1,000  square  miles.  Mr. 
Murray  pronounces  this  a  splendid  lumbering  region, 
where  an  immense  timber  trade  could  be  successfully 
carried  on.  Groves  of  pine  are  occasionally  found  here 
in  which  the  average  girth  of  trees  is  nine  feet,  and 
many  individual  trees  reach  twelve  and  even  fourteen 
feet.  Other  timber  regions  are  the  valley  of  the  Exploits, 
Red  Indian  Lake,  the  valley  of  the  Humbcr,  and  the 
valleys  around  St.  George's  Bay,  and  in  the  Codroy  dis- 
trict.. The  soil  in  these  districts,  when  cleared,  will 
yield  cereal  and  other  crops  in  abundance. 


\l4 » 


m. '  . 


190 


APPENDIX. 


m 


;;1 


■'■,'*'■ 


i-(->.?';^^ 


APPENDIX    IV. 


MINERAL    RESOURCES. 


*i  \^^:H;.; 


So  far  as  explorations  and  mining  operations  have 
gone  Newfoundland  ranks  high  among  the  copper-pro- 
ducing countries  of  the  world.  The  chief  seat  of  copper- 
mining  is  around  the  shores  of  Notre  Dame  Bay.  The 
ore  is  found  in  connection  with  the  serpentine  rocks,  and 
these  rocks  are  spread  over  an  area  of  5,000  square 
miles,  most  of  which  is  yet  unexplored.  Up  to  1879 
the  value  of  copper  and  nickel  ore  exported  was 
S4,629,889,  or  nearly  £1,000,000  sterling.  Gold  has 
been  found,  but  as  yet  only  in  small  quantities.  Rich 
deposits  of  lead-ore  have  also  been  found  in  several 
places,  especially  at  Port-a-Port.  Gypsum  is  found  in 
immense  developments,  and  marbles  on  both  eastern  and 
western  shores.  Roofing-slate  is  another  valuable 
material  found  in  abundance.  The  coal  area  of  St. 
George's  Bay  is  25  miles  wide  by  10  in  length. 


m 


APPENDIX  V. 


f:r 


GOVERNMENT.  ^  '^ 

The  form  of  government  consists  of  a  Governor,  who 
is  appointed  by  the  crown,  and  whose  term  of  office  is 
usually  about  six  years ;  an  Executive  Council,  repre- 
senting the  part}'  commanding  a  majority  in  the  Legis- 
lature, and  consisting  of  seven  members  ;  a  Legislative 
Council,  or  Upper  House,  of  fifteen  members,  nominated 


Iff  fil' 


GOVERXMENT. 


191 


by  the  Governor  iu  Council,  and  holding  office  for  life  ; 
and  a  House  of  Assembly,  of  thirty-three  members, 
elected  every  four  years  by  the  votes  of  the  people. 
The  seventeen  electoral  districts,  sending  thirty-three 
members,  are  divided  as  follows :  — 


St.  John's,  East 
St.  John's,  West 
Harbour  Grace  . 
Carbonear 
Harbour  Maine  . 
Port  de  Grave    . 
Bay  de  Verds     . 
Trinity 
Bon  a  vista . 
Tvvillingate  and  Fogo 
Ferryland  . 
Place ntia  and  St.  Mar 
Burin 

Fortune  Bay 
Burgeo  and  La  Poile 
St.  George 
St.  Barbe  . 


v's 


Members. 

.  3 

.  3 

.  2 

.  1 

.  2 

.  1 

.  1 

.  3 

.  3 

.  3 

.  2 

.  3 

.  2 

.  1 

.  1 

.  1 


\ 


•  -/ 


An  Act  of  the  Legislature,  passed  in  the  session  of 
1885,  gives  one  additional  member  to  each  of  the 
three  districts  of  Harbour  Grace,  Bay  de  Verds,  and 
Twillingate  and  Fogo,  in  consequence  of  the  increase 
in  their  population  as  shov.n  by  the  Census  of  1884. 
The  House  of  Assembly  will  in  future  consist  of  36 
members. 

The  right  of  voting  is  conferred  on  every  man  who 
for  one  year  immediately  preceding  the  day  of  election 
has  occupied  a  dwelling-house  .fithin  the  island,  either 
as  owner  or  tenant- 


11 

11/ 


■i  I 


H 


192 


APPENDIX. 


The  Supreme  Court  is  composed  of  a  Chief -Justice  and 
two  assistant  judges,  appointed  by  the  crown.  The 
Court  of  Labrador  has  civil  and  criminal  jurisdiction 
over  such  parts  of  Labrador  as  He  within  the  govern- 
ment of  Newfoundland.  It  is  presided  over  by  one 
judge,  who  is  appointed  by  the  Governor  in  Council. 


APPENDIX  VI. 


•  ;        '\  EDUCATION.  ■ 

The  interest  in  education  is  deepening  and  extending. 
A  liberal  provision  is  made  for  it  by  the  Legislature, 
amounting  now  to  $93,952  per  annum.  The  improve- 
ments already  secured  afford  sufficient  guarantees  of 
future  progress.  Each  religious  denomination  receives 
a  grant  for  education  from  the  public  funds  in  pro- 
portion to  its  numbers.  Separate  Boards  of  Education 
in  the  different  districts  have  charge  of  the  schools. 
Three  superintendents  are  appointed  by  Government,  — 
one  for  Roman  Catholic  schools,  one  for  Church  of  Eng- 
land, and  one  for  Wesleyan  schools.        .  ,  ,: 

In  1881  there  were  in  all  416  elementary  schools.  Of 
these  157  belonged  to  the  Church  of  Englnnd,  158  to 
the  Roman  Catholics,  99  to  the  Methodists,  and  2  to 
the  Congregationalists.  The  total  number  of  pupils  in 
the  elementary  schools  was  24,292. 

"  The  Colonial  and  Continental  Church  Societ}','* 
originally  "  The  Newfoundland  School  Society,"  has 
done  much  for  the  cause  of  education  in  Newfoundland. 
It  commenced  operations  in  1823,  and  ma}' be  said  to 
have  initiated  common-school  education  in  the  island. 
It  has  still  20  schools  in  operation,  attended  by  2,295 


EDUCA  TION. 


198 


scholars.  Its  central  school,  in  St.  John's,  is  largely 
attended,  and  is  used  by  the  Church  of  England  Boards 
of  Educatioij  as  a  training-school  for  their  teachers, 
male  and  female,  twenty  teachers  being  sent  out  every 
year. 

The  Christian  Brothers  have  in  operation  a  school  in 
St.  John's,  attended  by  about  400  ^yupils.  The  school- 
rooms nre  admirably  arranged  and  equipped ;  the  in- 
struction imparted  is  deservedly  spoken  of  in  the  highest 
terms,  and  an  excellent  educational  work  is  carried  on. 

The  academies  and  grammar  schools  are  attended  by 
674  pupils.  There  are  but  two  grammar  schools,  —  one 
in  Harbour  Grace  and  one  in  Carbonear,  —  both  of  which 
are  well  conducted,  and  have  rendered,  and  continue  to 
render,  good  service  to  the  cause  of  education.  The 
four  academies  are  in  St.  Joiin's,  and  are  conducted  on 
the  denominrvtional  principle.  They  are  well-managed, 
efficient  institutions,  having  each  a  full  staff  of  compe- 
tent teachers,  and  imparting  a  superior  education.  All 
of  them  prepare  pupils  for  the  universities.  St.  John's 
has  lately  been  made  a  centre  of  the  London  University, 
and  already  two  pupils  from  the  Roman  Catholic  Acad- 
emy, or  St.  Bonaventure  College,  and  two  from  the 
Wesleyan  Academy,  have  passed  the  matriculation  ex- 
aminations with  much  credit. 


>» 


194 


APPENDIX. 


:.;••-•'■•■' 


3 


, 


i|!i 


APPENDIX  YII. 

•'  'i  ■  '■-•■■   ■'■'■  '  '■    '-  •    ■    ■■.■'     ','.  ■  tV'X'^:'  ■ 

RELIOTOUS  DENOMINATIONS.     >  ;   i    f   ! 

CHURCH    OF    ENGLAND.    \l'''''     ''^ '■■'■'";■''.'/.  :•';■'/ 

"  The  Societ}'  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in 
Foreign  Parts  "  first  sent  a  missionary  to  Newfoundland 
in  1703.  In  1787  the  first  colonial  bishopric  was 
created,  — that  of  Nova  Scotia,  to  which  Newfoundland 
was  attached.  It  was  not,  however,  till  1827  that 
Bishop  Inglis,  of  Nova  Scotia,  was  able  to  visit  this  por- 
tion of  his  extensive  diocese.  He  found  but  9  clergy- 
men and  missionaries  in  the  whole  island.  In  1839 
Newfoundland  and  the  Bermudas  were  erected  into  a 
separate  diocese,  and  the  Rev.  Aubrey  S.  Spencer  was 
appointed  Bishop  of  the  new  See.  In  1844  Bishop 
Spencer  was  succeeded  by  Dr.  Edward  Feild,  of  Queen's 
College,  Oxford,  who  continued  Bisliop  till  his  death,  in 
1876.  His  successor  was  Dr.  J.  B.  Kellv,  who  was 
compelled  by  failing  health  to  resign,  in  1877.  In  1878 
he  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Llewellyn  Jones,  D.D., 
who  is  now  Bishop  of  the  diocese. 

The  diocese  is  now  divided  into  8  deaneries,  and  the 
number  of  clergy  is  50.  The  total  number  of  churches 
in  Newfoundland  and  Labrador  is  102. 


ROMAN  CATHOLIC  CHURCH. 


b: 

X^ 

BS    . 

,'{    i. 

fcr;; 

'r  ■■, 

f«" ' 

W 

Hi 

i. 

The  Roman  Catholic  Church  in  Newfoundland  was 
first  publicly  organized  in  1784,  by  the  appointment  of 
Dr.  O'Donnell,  as  Prefect  Apostolic,  by  Pope  Pius  VI. 
In   1796  Dr.  O'Donnell  was  appointed  Vicar  Apostolic 


RELIO.    US  DENOMIXATIOXS. 


195 


and  Bishop.  In  1807  he  was  succeeded  by  Dr.  Patrick 
Lambert,  who  held  office  till  1817,  when  Dr.  Thomas  Scal- 
lan  was  appointed  Bishop.  He  died  in  1830,  ard  was 
succeeded  by  Bishop  Fleming,  who  heF  office  till  1850, 
when  Dr.  Mullock  was  appointed  as  his  successor.  He 
held  office  till  his  death,  in  1869,  and  in  1870  the  present 
bishop,  the  Rt.  Rev.  Thomas  Joseph  Power,  was  conse- 
crated, in  Rome,  by  His  Eminence  Cardinal  Cullen.  In 
1856  Newfoundland  was  divided  into  two  dioceses,  St. 
John's  and  Harbour  Grace,  Dr.  Dal  ton  being  the  first 
Bishop  of  the  latter ;  and  his  successors  were  Rev. 
Henry  Carfagnini,  and  Dr.  Macdonald,  who  is  the 
present  Bishop.  In  the  St.  John's  diocese  there  are 
now  a  cathedral,  26  churches,  besides  chapels,  29  priests, 
a  college,  13  convents,  and  a  female  orphanage.  In  the 
diocese  of  Harbour  Grace  there  are  a  cathedral,  14 
churches,  besides  chapels,  16  priests,  and  5  convents. 
In  the  prefecture  apostolic  of  St.  George,  West  New- 
foundland, there  are  3  churciies  and  3  priests. 


WESLETAN    METHODISM.  —   '; 

The  Rev.  Lawrence  Cochlan  was  the  first  Wesleyan 
missionary,  in  1765.  In  1814  Newfoundland  was  con- 
stituted a  separate  district,  with  a  superintendent.  In 
1840  there  were  14  ministers  and  10  local  preachers. 
At  present  Newfoundland  is  constituted  a  separate 
conference,  with  a  president,  and  is  divided  into  3 
districts,  —  St.  John's,  Carbonear,  and  Bonavista.  The 
total  number  of  ministers  is  49  ;  of  churches,  44. 


CONGREGATIONALISM . 


Congregationalism  dates  from  1775.     In  1779  the  Rev. 
John  Jones  was  ordained  iu  England  to  be  minister  of  a 


M- 


] 


196 


APPENDIX. 


church  in  St.  John's.  There  are  now  two  additional 
Congregational  churches, — one  at  Twilliugate  ana  one 
at  Rendell  Harbour,  and  two  mission  statioub  at  For- 
tune Bay. 


;r^^  PRESBYTKRIAI.ISM. 

Tlie  first  Presbyterian  church  was  organized  in  1842, 
of  which  the  Rev.  Donald  A.  Fraser  was  minister.  A 
Free  Church  Presbyterian  congregation  was  formed  in 
1848,  in  St.  John's,  and  a  second,  in  Harbour  Grace,  in 
1855.  The  two  congregations  in  St.  John's  united  in 
1877,  and  built  St.  Andrew's  Church.  There  is  a 
Presbyterian  mission  station  at  Bay  of  Islands,  and 
another  at  Little  Bay  Mine. 


pi 
ill 


e»v.. 


POPUL  \  TION. 


197 


'■y\t 


APPENDIX    YIII. 


POPULATION, 


The  earliest  estimate  of  the  resident  population  of  the 
island  was  made  in  1G54,  when  it  was  ascertained  that 
there  were  350  families,  in  15  different  settlements, 
numbering  about  1,750  persons.  In  1G98  the  population 
was  2,G40.  In  1763  the  population  was  7,080 ;  in  1785, 
10,000;  in  1804,20,000;  in  1825,  55,719;  in  1832, 
60,000;  in  1836,  75,094;  in  1845,  98,703;  in  1857, 
124,288;  in  1869,    146,536;   in    1874,    161,374.      The 

The  census  of  1874  gave  the  numerical  strength  of 
the  different  religious  denominations  as  follows  :  — 


Roman  Catholics    . 
Church  of  Eno;land 
Wesleyans 
Presbyterians 
Congregationalists 
Baptists  and  others 


64,317 

59,561 

35,702 

1,168 

461 

165 


The  following  is  an  abstract  of  the  census  taken  in 
1884.  It  will  be  seen  from  it  that  the  increase  during 
the  last  decade  has  been  36,209  or  22.43  per  cent. 
As  the  immigration  during  that  period  has  been  very 
small,  and  has  probably  been  more  than  counterbalanced 
by  the  emigration,  the  increase  shown  by  the  recent 
census  has  been  solely  from  natural  causes,  and  proves 
that  the  people  are  in  a  healthy  and  fairly  prosperous 
condition.  Few  countries  have  a  normal  rate  of  increase 
so  high  as  Newfoundland. 


I  J: 


198 


APPENDIX. 


Abstract  of  Census  of  1874. 


DiSTRICtS. 


St.  John's  East 

St.  John's  West 

Harbour  Main 

Port-de-Grave 

Harbour  Grace 

Carbonoar 

Bay-de-Verds 

Trinity  Bay 

Bonavista 

Twillingate  and  Fogo 

Ferryland 

Placentia 

Burin 

Fortune 

Burgco  and  I^a  Poilo 

'  St.  George's  and  St.  Barbe 

Total 

Labrador 

Total 


Total. 


Church 

of  Eng- 

hind. 


17.811 

12,7G3 

7,174 

7,910 

13,055 

5,488 

7,434 

15,677 

13,008 

15,135 

G,419 

9,857 

7,678 

5,788 

5,098 

8,G54 


158,958 


2,422 


3,985 
2,551 
1,716 
3,415 
7,239 
939 
439 
8,417 
6,800 
6,989 
173 
1,351 
1,633 
4,391 
4,216 
3,768 


58,072 
1,489 


Roman 

Catho 

lie. 


161,380  59,561 


11.200 
8,746 
5,361 
2,002 
4,013 
2,189 
1,775 
1 ,583 
2,599 
1,956 
6,246 
8,254 
2,689 
1,387 
125 
3,716 


Metho- 
dist. 


1,838 
1,088 
97 
2,501 
1,615 
2,362 
5,220 
5,663 
3,531 
6,172 

239 

3,351 

8 

731 

991 


63,841  35,407 


476 


64,317 


Others. 


295 


35,702 


788 
378 

1 

188 
8 

14 
18 
18 

13 
5 
2 

26 
179 


1,638 
162 


1,800 


'  In  1874  St.  George's  and  St.  Barbo  were  not  separate  districts,  and,  for  com- 
parison, their  population  is  also  united  in  the  table  for  1884.  St.  George's  has  a 
total  population  of  5,535,  of  which  3,393  is  Roman  Catholic,  1 ,878  Church  of  Eng- 
land, 147  Methodist.  St.  Barbe  has  a  total  population  of  6,498,  of  which2,  910  is 
Church  of  England,  1,639  Methodist,  1,872  Roman  Catholic. 


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APPENDIX. 


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.-i  ^      APPENDIX   TX. 

f,.         , 

'    :'      REVENUE,    IMPORTS,   AND   EXPORTS. 

In  1880  the  revenue  was  $897,474  ;  in  1881,  $1,003,- 
803;  in  1882,  $1,119,385;  in  1883,  $1,251,987;  in 
1884,  $1,170,602.    <   '    ;  '^       "  "^       ■       "    • 

The  exports  in  1881  were,  in  value,  $7,648,574;  in 
r  1882,  $8,228,291;  in  1883,  $7,996,795;  in  1834, 
.  $9,061,186.      ■        '  ■        -  •  ..      •     ''    •.     ■■ 

The  imports  in  1880  were,  in  value,  $6,966,243  ;  in 
1881,  $6,863,708;  in  1883,  $9,181,464.  .'  .         ,  : 

The  public  debt  in  1881  was  $1,351,008,  or  about 
%1  per  capita.  A  sinking-fund  has  been  established  for 
its  liquidation. 


APPENDIX  X. 


i  -^r  \ 


LIST  OF  PREMIERS   UNDER  RESPONSIBLE      /: 
'  GOVERNMENT.  ^ 

1854. —  Hon.  Philip  Francis  Little. 

1858.  —  Hon.  John  Kent. 

1861.  —  Hon.  Hugh  Hoyles  (afterwards  Sir  Hugh). 

1865.  —  Hon.  F.  B.  T.  Cnrter  (afterwards  Sir  F.  B.  T.). 

1869.  —Hon  C.  F.  Bennett. 

1873.  —  Hon.  F.  B.  T.  Carter. 

1878.  —Hon.  W.  V.  Whiteway  (afterwards  Sir  William 

Vallance  Whiteway) . 
1882.  —  Sir  William  V.  Whiteway. 
1885.  —  Sir  William  V.  Whitewav 


riST  OF  GOVERNORS  OF  NEWFOUNDLAND.     201 


y. 


APPENDIX  XI. 


LIST  OF  GOVERNORS   OF  NEWFOUNDLAND, 

Appointed.  ,         , 

1729.  — Captain  Henry  Osborne,  R.N. 

1731.  —  Captain  Clinton. 

1734.  —  Captain  Lord  Viscount  Miiskery. 

1737. — Captain  Vanburg.  ,, 

17-40. — Captain  Right  lion.  Lord  G(M)rge  Graham. 

1741. — Captain  lion.  John  Byng. 

1744.  —  Captain  Sir  Charles  Hardy. 

1749.  —  Captain  Lord  George  Brydges  Rodney. 

1750. — Captain  Francis  II.  Drake. 

1753.  —  Captain  Bonfoy. 

1755.  T— Captain  Dorril.  •.; 

1757.  —  Captain  Edwards. 

1760. —  Captain  Webb. 

1761. — Captain  Lord  Graves. 

1764.  —  Captain  Palliser. 

1769.  —  Captain  Hon.  John  Byron. 

1772.  —  Commodore  Molyneux,  afterwards  Lord  Shuld 

ham.  ; 

1775. — Commodore  Duff.  -   ' 

1776.  —  Rear- Admiral  Montague.  > 

1779.  —  Rear- Admiral  Ed  w  ards .    ■ 
1782. — Vice-Admiral  John  Campbell. 
1786.  —  Rear-Admiral  Elliot. 
1789.  —  Admiral  Mark  Milbanke.      'y    " 
1792.  —  Admiral  King.  ' :  >, 

1794.  —  Admiral  Sir  James  Wallace. 
1797.  —  Vice- Admiral  Waldegrave. 
1800.  —  Vice-Admiral  Pole. 


202 


APPENDIX. 


Appointed. 

1802.  —  Admiral  Lord  Gambler. 

1804.  — Admiral  Sir  Erasmus  Gower. 

1807. — Admiral  HoUovvay. 

1810.  — Vice-Admiral  Sir  Thomas  Duckworth. 

1813.  —  Vice-Admiral  Sir  Richard  G.  Keates. 

1816.  — Vice-Admiral  Pickmore. 

1818.  — Captain  Bowker  (Administrator). 

1818.  —  Admiral  Sir  Charles  Hamilton. 

1825.  — Captain  Sir  Thomas  Cochrane. 

1834.  — Captain  Henry  Prescott. 

1841.  — Major-General  Sir  John  Harvey. 

1846.  — Lieutenant-Colonel  Law  (Administrator). 

1847.  —  Sir  John  Gaspard  Le  Marchant. 
1852.  —  Hon.  James  Crowdy  (Administrator). 
1852.  —  Ker  Baillie  Hamilton. 

1857.  — Hon.  Lawrence  O'Brien  (Administrator). 

1857.  —  Sir  Alexander  Bannerman. 

1864.  — Hon.  Lawrence  O'Brien  (Administrator). 

1864.  — Anthony  Musgrave. 

1869.  — Sii  Stephen  J.  Hill,  K.C.M.G.,  C.B. 

1876.  —  Sir  John  Hawley  Glover,  K.C.M.G. 

1880.  —  Sir  Fred.  B.  T.  Carter  (Administrator). 

1881.  —  Sir  Henry  Fitzhardinge  B.  M-ixse. 
1883.  — Hon.  Edward  Morris  (Administrator). 

1883.  —  Sir  Fred.  B.  T.  Carter  (Administrator). 

1884.  —  Sir  John  H.  Glover,  K.C.M.G. 


i-y;        / 


{■fC:.: 


PRESS  NOTICES. 


BY    TH£    SAMS    AUTHOR, 

Price  Eighteen  Suillinqs  Sterling, 

NEWrOUNDLAl^D, 

THE  OLDEST  BRITISH  COLONY. 

LONDON  :   CHAPMAN  AND  HALL,  1883. 

I 

American  Edition,  Revised  and  Enlarged. 

BOSTON:   DOYLE   &  WHITTLE,    1883. 

450  Pages.    Price  $2.50. 

MAP  AND  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Opinions  of  the  Eng^lisli  Press. 

{From  the  Fortnightly  lievieio.) 
This  work  on  Newfoundland  is  a  difficult  task,  extremely  well  executed. 
Take  it  all  in  all  it  is  an  admirable  account  of  tlie  oldest  English  Colony,  plainly 
written,  pleasantly  illustrated,  and  unique  aa  the  best,  as  it  is  undoubtedly  ihe 
most  recent  work  on  the  country. 

(From  the  London  Academy.) 

A  section  is  devoted  to  the  interesting  history  of  Newfoundland,  the  oattlcs  of 
the  early  settlers  for  their  freedom,  their  patient  loyalty  under  many  provoca- 
tions to  a  contrary  course,  the  attempt  to  make  it  a  mere  flsliintf  station.  But 
the  section  to  which  the  reader  will  turn  with  most  zest  is  that  on  the  fisheries. 
In  no  other  work  is  the  Newfoundland  staple  trade  treated  so  fully  and  so  well ; 
and  these  chapters  alone  would  give  the  volume  a  lasting  value.  The  physical 
geography  of  the  country  is  amply  described.  The  ethnology  Is  excellent,  and 
the  meteorological  remarks  are  useful.  It  is  an  admirable  book,  worthy  of  soon 
attaining  the  second  edition,  which  will  give  the  writer  an  opportunity  of  still 
further  improving  it.    It  is  illustrated  with  some  spirited  wood-cuts. 

(From  the  Pall  Mall  Gazette.) 

An  interesting  and  well- written  work Mr.  Harvey  is  eminently 

Qualified,  by  long  residence  and  scientific  attainments,  for  the  collection  of  local 
etails  and  statistics ;  and  even  those  who  are  not  personally  interested  in  ihe 
future  of  the  colony  will  find  much  to  please  and  instruct  them  in  his  descrip- 
tions of  the  aborigines,  the  ec»3nery,  the  fisheries,  and,  above  all,  the  gigantic 
cuttle-fish,  which  he  was  the  first  to  rescue  from  the  domain  of  romance  and 
introduce  into  the  domain  of  authentic  natural  history. 

i  {From  the  London  Graphic.) 

A  volume  vhich  is  not  only  very  readable,  but  one  to  be  set  aside  after  read- 
ing as  a  staudaru  work  of  reference  on  the  resources  of  a  somewhat  neglected 
country. 


2 


PRESS  NOTICES. 


w     j 


m 


if 


!j|i 


M  ■ 


4'  - 


{From  the  London  Spectator.) 
If  the  general  public  will  read  this  interesting  book  about  that  despised 
country  it  will  clear  up  their  hazy  notions  in  a  very  Burprising  and  agreeable 

manner The  descriptions  are  very  clear  and  interenling,  and  the 

chapters  on  seai-fiishing  are  among  the  very  best  parts  of  the  book 

With  these  short  extracts  we  will  take  our  leave  of  a  most  entertaining  and 
useful  book,  which  we  hope  will  lind  a  great  many  readers  both  in  England 
and  in  Newfoundland. 

{From  the  St.  James's  Gazette.) 
A  complete  and  graphic  account  of  the  discovery,  at  the  close  of  the  fifteenth 
century,  of  what  is  now  the  oldest  dependency  of  England;  and  its  history 

and  progress  are  traced  through  nearly  four  hundred  years The 

Ncfwfoundlanders  seem  now  to  be  fairly  on  the  high  road  to  that  prosperity 
which  was  su  long  denied  them,  and  which  this  interesting  book  shows  that 
they  merit. 

{From  Land  and  Water.) 
The  story  of  Newfoundland  constitutes  one  of  the  most  interesting  chapters 
in  the  history  of  the  New  World.   It  is  told  so  attractively  and  completely  that 
we  doubt  if  it  will  ever  require  retelling.    It  may  be  supplemented,  but  not 
superseded. 

{From  the  European  Mail.) 

No  more  interesting  work  has  ever  come  under  our  notice  than  this 

We  may  add  that  it  is  highly  instructive,  full  of  eloquent  and  graphic  descrip- 
tion, and  teeming  with  historical  facts  and  useful  statistical  information  hitherto 
beyond  the  reach  of  the  general  public.  There  is  a  handy  and  useful  index, 
and  some  capital  illustrations. 

{From  the  London  Daily  Telegraph.) 

This  volume  is  composed  in  a  very  hopeful  spirit  as  to  the  lUture  of  the 
colony,  and  is  well  calculated  to  interest  its  readers  in  a  country  which  pos- 
sesses much  natural  beauty  and  great  unexplored  and  undeveloped  resources. 

{From  the  Scotsman.) 
The  book  is  a  piece  of  solid  workmanship.    It  traces  not  only  the  history  of 
the  foundation  and  progress  of  the  colony,  but  enters  fully  into  the  physical 
geography  and  topography  of  Newfoundland,  its  agricultural,  mining,  and  fish- 
ing resources. 

•   {From,  the  London  Daily  News.) 
The  work  leaves  no  part  of  the  field  unexplored,  even  the  political  and  finan- 
cial affairs  of  the  island  being  treated  in  some  detail.    Altogether,  this  is  not 
only  a  work  of  interest  to  the  general  reader,  but  by  far  the  most  complete 
account  of  Newfoundland  that  has  yet  appeared. 

{From  the  London  Standard.) 
The  cod-fisheries  of  Newfoundland  are  almost  worthy  of  a  book  to  them- 
selves ;  and  when  we  add  to  them  the  seal-hunting,  the  salmon  and  caribou  and 
ptarmigan,  leading  u?  from  trade  to  sport,  and  showing  us  the  capabilities  of 
this  great  island,  we  are  led  into  soraetning  like  enthusiasm  about  the  great  and 
unknown  estate  long  held  by  us The  book  is  one  to  be  recom- 
mended to  all  readers.  , 

{From  London  Society.) 
■■-■  We  can  heartily  recommend  this  Iiandsome  and  exhaustive  volume,  recently 
published  by  Messrs.  Chapman  and  Hall.  ,  ,         ,      ^,,,      ,.  . 

{From  Figaro.) 

The  book  has  many  merits  whicii  will  commend  it  to  the  reading  public.  It 
is  not  only  free  from  the  cardinal  vice  of  dulness,  but  is  instructive  and,  in 
many  respects,  entertaining. 


PBESS  NOTICES. 


(From  the  Literary  World.) 
An  exceedingly  interesting  and  valuable  book.    It  is  illuntrated  with  photo- 
graplis  and  sketcheu  made  for  tlie  work,  whicli  give  it  great  interest  and  value. 

iFrom  the  London  Mining  Journal.) 
An  interesting  and  useful  volume. 

{From  the  Birmingham,  Daily  Post.) 
A  handsome  volume  of  more  than  500  pages,  liberally  and  admirably  illus- 
trated, —  a  remarkably  readable  work The  chapter  on  the  fisheries 

is  one  of  the  most  valuable  and  original  in  the  volume.  Even  more  interesting 
is  the  seal  fishery,  of  which  so  little  has  hitherto  been  known.  These  chapters 
alone  will  make  this  volume  very  welcome  to  all  readers,  as  an  original  and 
brilliiuit  description  of  the  great  fasheries  of  the  world. 

(From,  the  Leeds  Mercury.) 
The  work  is  eminently  readable,  the  style  being  easy  and  the  selection  of 
material  judicious.    It  is  rendered  the  more  attractive  by  a  series  of  illustra- 
tions.   The  work,  indeed,  leaves  little  to  be  desired. 

(From  the  Nottingham  Guardian.) 

A  very  valuable  contribution  to  the  literature  of  our  oldest  colony.  The  work 
will,  we  liave  no  doubt,  live  long.  It  will  be  some  lime  before  any  other 
writers  venture  to  tread  in  the  footsteps  of  the  present  writer. 


8  of 
and 
5om- 


ntly 


Opinions  of  the  American  and  Colonial  Press. 

(From,  the  JHantic  Monthly.) 

An  interesting  work  by  a  painstaking  student,  who  sets  about  a  thorough 
representation  of  the  country. 

(From  the  New  York  Herald.) 
The  best  account  of  Newfoundland  ever  printed. 

(From  the  New  York  Evening  Post.) 
The  book  is  indeed  good  and  interesting,  and  well-written,  but  is  without  the 
smallest  bit  of  imagination  or  fancy  to  mislead  the  reader.  It  is  no  Sir  John 
Mandeville's  tale  of  things  seen  golden-purplish  and  out  of  shape  through  an 
ill-fitted  spy -glass.  It  has  in  it  all  the  earnestne^ }  of  conviction  and  of  faith  in 
the  holding  of  strong  facts.  The  book  does  n  .,  make  the  strangeness  of  the 
story.  The  book  only  puts  the  case  to  the  world  of  readers  in  a  plain  unvar- 
nished way,  in  good  English,  and  with  good  sense,  and  proves  it  and  makes  it 
clear  by  ample  testimony  and  figures. 

(From  the  Republic,  Boston.) 
The  historical  part  of  the  work  has  been  not  only  well  done,  but  is  highly 
creditable  for  its  broad,  liberal,  and  comprehensive  grasp  of  religious  and 
political  events,  in  which  the  temptations  to  become  partisan  have  been  admira- 
bly avoided.  .  .  .  As  a  book  of  reference,  "Newfoundland"  will  be  found 
simply  invaluable.  It  is  profusely  aud  capitally  illustrated,  elegantly  printed, 
and  neatly  aud  servlceably  bound. 

(From  the  Wheelman.) 
It  is,  we  must  confess,  one  of  the  most  fascinating  histories  we  ever  read. 

(From  the  Boston  Transcript.) 

There  is  a  fine  unity  in  the  work ;  it  reveals  no  awkward  teams,  and  the  whole 
ia  absorbingly  interesting. 


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PRESS  NOTICES. 


{From  the  Bosiort  Saturday  Evening  Gazette.) 

T  "  the  most  important  work  hitherto  published  about  Newfoundland.  The 
nr  ials  have  been  gathered  for  the  most  part  on  the  spot,  and  every  publica- 
tion dealing  with  the  subject  has  been  carefully  studiecT  and  utiUzed,  togutlier 
with  all  public  records  and  ot|;i6r  documents. 

(From  the  Boston  Pont.) 
It  is  the  only  thorough,  comprehensive,  and  reliable  work  upon  the  great 
island  that  has  ever  been  published. 

(From  the  Cincinnati  Gazette.) 
It  is  a  complete  and  very  creditable  work. 

{From  the  Boston  Pilot.) 

The  republication  of  the  book  in  this  country  is  timely,  and  we  bespeak  for  it 
a  hearty  recognition. 

{From  the  Toronto  Globe.) 
It  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  additions  to  the  literature  of  the  British  colonies 
which  has  ever  appeared.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Harvey  is  a  recognized  authority  on 
all  matters  connected  with  Newfoundland.  He  has  resided  there  for  more  than 
a  quarter  of  a  century,  and  no  man  living  is  more  intimately  .vcquainted  witii  its 
history,  resources,  and  possibilities.  His  letters  to  the  ••  Globe,"  some  years 
ago,  will  be  long  remembered.  They  were  a  revelation  to  all  classes  in  the  com- 
munity. To  most  of  us  he  was,  in  a  very  real  sense,  the  discoverer  of  New- 
foundland.   The  book  has  already  attained  well-merited  popularity. 

{From  the  Montreal  Gazette.) 

The  Rev.  M.  Harvey,  having  been  for  many  years  our  Newfoundland  corres- 
pondent, will  require  but  few  words  of  introduction  from  us.  His  letters  to 
this  journal  have  been  admired  and  enjoyed  by  hundreds  of  readers,  as  well  for 
the  valuable  information  of  which  they  were  full,  as  for  the  clear  and  systematic 
manner  In  which  the  writer  dealt  with  all  objects  that  occupied  his  attention. 
We  are  simply  stating  the  truth  when  we  say,  that  there  is  no  one  living  could 
be  better  fitted  by  ids  wide  and  Intimate  knowledge  of  the  country,  its  people, 
and  resources,  as  well  as  by  judgment,  taste,  and  ability  as  a  writer,  to  con- 
tribute to  a  work  of  this  kind  than  he  Is.  .  .  .  The  history  is  an  exceed- 
ingly well-told  story.  The  other  sections  of  the  work  are  of  no  less  interest. 
No  one  who  desires  to  know  the  truth  about  Newfoundland,  Its  capabilities  and 
prospects  should  fail  to  secure  a  copy. 

{From  the  Quebec  Morning  Chronicle.) 
It  is  one  of  the  most  Instructive  and  Interesting  books  that  the  press  of  Eng- 
land has  given  us  for  a  long  time.  ...  It  will  do  for  Newfoundland  what 
"Wallace's  Russia"  has  done  for  that  vast  empire,  and  what  "Dent's  Last 
Forty  Years"  has  done  for  Canada.  Every  chapter  reveals  a  monument  of 
labour  on  the  part  of  the  author.  No  pains  have  been  spared,  evidently,  to 
secure  accuracy  in  every  detail.  We  can  cordially  commend  this  valuable  book 
k }  our  readers. 

{From  the  Ilalifaz  ifoming  Chronicle.) 
The  whole  work  Is  as  interesting  as  a  novel,  and  all  who  wish  to  become  con- 
versant with  "  Ye  Antlent   Colonye"  of  Newfoundland  phould  possess  them- 
selves of  a  copy  of  this  able  and  instructive  work,  of  which  the  above  is  but  an 
imperfect  and  meagre  description. 

{From  the  Newfoundlander.) 

It  is  no  disparagement  of  the  labours  of  earlier  authorities  to  say  that.  In  point 

of  general  usefulness  at  the  present  day,  they  are  quite  surpassed  by  the  volume 

now  before  as.    .    .    .    It  comes  out  at  a  most  opportune  period;  and  all  who 

seek  to  form  just  opinions  of  the  pasi,  present,  and  future  of  the  colony  should 

f)osscB8  a  volume  which  Is  not  loss  Inviting  in  Its  external  get-up,  than  in  the 
Iterary  impress  stamped  upon  Us  pages. 


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